At a Glance
The Audi Coupe has 22 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the B3 (1988-1996) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 42K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Audi Coupe common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Audi Coupe generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Most Common Audi Coupe MOT Failures
Every reason Audi Coupe vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.75% |
| 2 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.45% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.28% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.45% |
| 5 | Driveshaft fault | 5.09% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.55% |
| 7 | Stop lamp not working | 4.35% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.95% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 3.85% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.69% |
| 11 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.56% |
| 12 | Tyre condition | 3.51% |
| 13 | Front lamp not working | 3.29% |
| 14 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.91% |
| 15 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.71% |
| 16 | Track rod end worn | 2.38% |
| 17 | Rear suspension fault | 1.83% |
| 18 | Brake pads or linings worn | 1.77% |
| 19 | Rear lamp not working | 1.67% |
| 20 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.61% |
| 21 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.25% |
| 22 | MacPherson strut worn | 1.22% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.05% |
| 24 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.85% |
| 25 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.85% |
| 26 | Steering rack fault | 0.76% |
| 27 | Parking brake condition | 0.74% |
| 28 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.73% |
| 29 | Position lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 30 | Indicator fault | 0.72% |
| 31 | Horn not working | 0.69% |
| 32 | ABS fault | 0.60% |
| 33 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.60% |
| 34 | Fog lamp not working | 0.58% |
| 35 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.53% |
| 36 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.50% |
| 37 | Front suspension fault | 0.49% |
| 38 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.48% |
| 39 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.48% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.44% |
| 41 | Headlamp fault | 0.37% |
| 42 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.35% |
| 43 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.34% |
| 44 | Brake fluid leak | 0.32% |
| 45 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.30% |
| 46 | CV joint worn | 0.29% |
| 47 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.28% |
| 48 | Brake caliper fault | 0.28% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.27% |
| 50 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.26% |
| 51 | Chassis condition | 0.25% |
| 52 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.22% |
| 53 | Electrical switch fault | 0.21% |
| 54 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.21% |
| 55 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.20% |
| 56 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 57 | Airbag warning light on | 0.19% |
| 58 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 59 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.18% |
| 60 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.18% |
| 61 | Power steering pump fault | 0.16% |
| 62 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.16% |
| 63 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.16% |
| 64 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 65 | Steering column fault | 0.14% |
| 66 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.13% |
| 67 | Steering arm worn | 0.12% |
| 68 | Steering operation fault | 0.11% |
| 69 | Brake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 70 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 71 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.08% |
| 72 | Driver seat fault | 0.07% |
| 73 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 74 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Steering free play excessive | 0.06% |
| 76 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 78 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.06% |
| 79 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 80 | Suspension unit fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 82 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 83 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.04% |
| 84 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 85 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 87 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 88 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 89 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 91 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 92 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Steering drive system fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 96 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 97 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 98 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.03% |
| 99 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 100 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake valve fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Engine oil leak | 0.02% |
| 103 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 105 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.02% |
| 106 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Steering shaft fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 111 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 113 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 115 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 116 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 118 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 121 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.01% |
| 122 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 123 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 124 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 128 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 141 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 142 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 152 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 153 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 153 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Audi Coupe MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Audi Coupe, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Audi Coupe problems?
Based on analysis of 42K Audi Coupe MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 22 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Audi Coupe generation has the most problems?
The Audi Coupe B3 (1988-1996) (1988–1996) has the highest number of identified common problems (27). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Audi Coupe?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Audi Coupe owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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