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Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) (1991-2000) reliability

At a glance

Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) models built before 2000 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at an Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

26% of MOT tests on Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) models built before 2000 involves the brakes.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1991-2000ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 1,108 tests of Cabriolet models registered 1991-2000.

About 1 in 7 Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) MOTs (13.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,054 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) MOTs (4.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 1,054 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

B3/B4 (8G) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
5424.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,05425.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

How the Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) compares

At each age below, see how the Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 8,283 tests across 10 Audi models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAudi average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
5424.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,05425.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G).

  1. 1

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 25.7% for the Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G), both built before 2000.

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Triumph TR6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.9%, against 25.7% for the Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G), both built before 2000.

    1,028 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Morgan 4/4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 25.7% for the Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G), both built before 2000.

    1,071 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Triumph Stag

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 25.7% for the Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G), both built before 2000.

    1,436 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

2 of the 3 Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Function of the driver airbag might be restricted due to its age
  • The deployment of the Takata airbag may be delayed or insufficiently powerful due to a potential reduction in the perfor

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 474 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
76%
Drivetrain
54%
Emissions
52%
Steering
28%
Bodywork
2%

Wear items

Lighting
76%
Brakes
70%
Tyres
55%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 37% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) cars have aged

How Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%2122232425Age at MOTBuilt around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (207 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (218 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (162 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (158 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (137 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (118 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (119 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (93 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (75 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (101 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (104 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (94 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (93 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (80 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 2000First registered around 1999First registered around 1998First registered around 1997
B3/B4 (8G) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Audi Cabriolets of this age

This list covers every Audi Cabriolet built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the B3/B4 (8G) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    17.5%
    Advisory: 301Fail: 7 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    16.1%
    Advisory: 192Fail: 66 (26% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.0%
    Advisory: 157Fail: 3 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.8%
    Advisory: 198Fail: 21 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    11.6%
    Advisory: 154Fail: 9 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,054 tests

Looking at an Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Audi Cabriolet B3/B4 (8G) (1991-2000) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,054 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,108 MOT tests on Audi Cabriolets first registered between 1991-2000. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.