How reliable is an Audi TT?
 

I’ve recently found what looks to be like a well maintained Audi tt on Facebook marketplace. It’s a 2002 Quattro with 160,000 kms, and from just the pictures it looks like it was fairly well maintained, but I have yet to ask about maintenance or service history. When I search about reliability a lot of websites say it’s above average, which doesn’t really help. When I look at YouTube videos on common problems a lot of them are saying it can cost almost double what you’ve paid for it just to get it running good. Before I go look at this car, I thought I should ask someone who’s owned a tt to get a straight answer on problems and a general maintenance cost per year.

Look at Vegas-roadster's post on this thread, look at the buyers guide he links to

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/tt-...di-tt-3055559/

Very reliable until it’s not! There are lots of sensors like in the doors, etc. that can shut the car down. The early cars like 01, etc. are now getting old enough that Audi is no longer producing an ever growing list of parts for them and that presents challenges. If looking at buying one, a recent timing belt and water pump replacement is a must and if you have it done yourself, figure on $1500-$2000. If the timing belt fails motor is largely destroyed. If a roadster, the rear wind deflector belt will fail and getting this replaced is difficult. Audi won’t do it and the same for many repair shops. It will be expensive to have done and probably requires a shop that does top replacements. Having said all that, I still like mine.

Other realities…
 

I have an 04 TT convertible, 138K miles..have just replaced 5 varied sensors…and the silly headlight washers never worked, yes the rear windscreen belt is gone; you can expect ~ 2k in annual work. But, it’s an amazing 125mph rocket that handles like silk. I’ll just buy another if this gets too hard for parts.

I bought my 2001 coupe in 2003 and still have it though it has some issues I’ll likely never fix I bought my 2001 roadster in 2017 and have it and drive it frequently. That said, these are not Toyotas. They require fairly frequent attention and some specialized knowledge and service tools. Not much different than an equally old VW Beetle Jetta or Golf however.

how reliable
 

I purchased a 2001 Audi tt roadster in 2001 with 146,000 miles:
a: had to replace gauge cluster, cost $400 from Atlanta Company; I was able to take it out and replace with new rebuilt unit, works great
b: found wind shield belt on Amazon for $45.00; watched YouTube video to put it on car, not overly difficult but took a few hours
c: driver's seat reupholstered for $420.00 which is optic leather and re-dyed seats appropriate color by myself, looks great, dye was $89.00 but correct color; not hard but followed companies Youtube video.
d: timing belt, alternator, water pump all changed at 138,000 miles by previous owner.
e: I have replaced vacuum hoses and coolant hoses, filters, Hilex oil and filter because of age of car. I got a lot of direction from Audi tt forum and videos. Not sure of overall cost and I did the labor but not more than a few hundred.
f: I replaced clutch and I do not remember cost but it was $1000 plus, this was my main expense.

Runs good, no leaks at this time, just starting to replace gaskets, someone suggested this on an older car you are not sure of maintenance. Lucky, I have a pretty complete maintenance history through Carfax, very surprised.

I am not a mechanic and have made a lot of mistakes but love the car and just want to keep it rolling. The Audi forum is a fantastic resource and usually leads me to appropriate YouTube videos.

Good luck, hope this helps

The original owner must have spent his life inside the car
 

146,000 miles in less than 1 year must be some type of record :)

146,000
 

purchased with 146,000 miles on it; only owned it a couple of years; probably would need more work if I put 146,000 miles in one year! Ha