Small car · 2009–2021 cars

Audi A1 reliability

The Audi A1 fails 21.3% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 730,321 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 57/100#9 of 63 small cars

Checking a Audi A1 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 21.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 8% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 730,321; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Audi A1 has a better-than-average record. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 21.3%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 8% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 9 of 63 small car models. 2021 cars did best, with 20% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2017 cars were weakest, with 5% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

Tyres are the weak spot, with 17% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage. Check tread first, as tread below 1.6mm is a common failure at 2.09% of tests. Also look for worn suspension arm pins or bushes (2.24% of tests), fractured coil springs (2.17%) and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.52%). Before you buy, check the tyre tread, suspension arm pins and bushes, coil springs and brake pads.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi A1 ages

Each point is the share of Audi A1s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi A1All cars

Audi A1 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi A1	All cars
3	9.9%	12.3%
4	11.6%	14.1%
5	15.6%	16.4%
6	18.8%	19.1%
7	20.7%	22.1%
8	22.3%	25.5%
9	25.5%	28.8%
10	27.9%	31.8%
11	30.3%	34.6%
12	31.7%	37.3%
13	32.7%	39.5%
14	32.6%	41.1%

By year

The best and worst Audi A1 years

2021 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi A1 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 A1	8,260	9.2%	20% fewer fails	24,781
2020 A1	28,248	9.8%	17% fewer fails	26,389
2019 A1	59,656	11%	15% fewer fails	29,552
2018 A1	72,188	14.3%	0% more fails	32,814
2017 A1	82,945	17.7%	5% more fails	40,538
2016 A1	92,033	20.1%	1% more fails	48,601
2015 A1	86,141	20.5%	12% fewer fails	57,126
2014 A1	83,672	23.8%	11% fewer fails	64,172
2013 A1	81,408	27.2%	10% fewer fails	72,170
2012 A1	68,633	29.1%	13% fewer fails	81,151
2011 A1	61,788	32.6%	11% fewer fails	89,588
2010 A1	5,342	33.8%	12% fewer fails	93,787

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi A1

Its weak spot is tyres: 17% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension7.1%14% above avg
Tyres6.8%17% above avg
Lights and electrics5.2%33% below avg
Brakes4.2%13% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.3%41% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.5%19% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.5%23% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.6%15% above avg
Steering0.4%64% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.24% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.17% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.09% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.52% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.26% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.11% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.84% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.73% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A1's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.87%
Brake disc pitted or scored10.35%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.7%
Brake pads wearing thin6.27%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.9%
Brake discs showing some wear2.03%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi A1

1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi A1 covers about 7,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol74.9%
Diesel25.1%
Hybrid0%
LPG0%

Most common colours

White, Black, Grey, Blue, Red

Average engine size: 1.4 litres.

Compare

How the Audi A1 compares with its rivals

Audi A1 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Honda Jazz	25.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A1	21.3%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Micra	36.3%	20% more MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ibiza	33.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 208	27.5%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C3	35.6%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi A1 questions, answered

Is the Audi A1 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi A1 is about average: it fails 21.3% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 9 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi A1 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A1 are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.24% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.17% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.09% of tests). By area, suspension fails 7.1% of its tests.

Which Audi A1 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (5% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi A1 do a year?

A typical Audi A1 covers about 7,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi A1 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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