Small car · 1996–2018 cars
Audi A2 reliability
The Audi A2 fails 43.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 23,300 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Audi A2 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 43.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 23,300
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Audi A2 ages
Each point is the share of Audi A2s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Audi A2 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 43.1% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 42.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 43.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 45.1% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 43.4% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42.4% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 44.1% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 41.3% | 38.9% |
By year
The best and worst Audi A2 years
2004 cars come out best and 2003 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 A2 | 3,280 | 42.6% | 4% fewer fails | 123,556 |
| 2004 A2 | 5,531 | 42.1% | 6% fewer fails | 124,990 |
| 2003 A2 | 4,459 | 45.2% | 1% more fails | 123,062 |
| 2002 A2 | 5,532 | 44.6% | 1% more fails | 128,473 |
| 2001 A2 | 4,188 | 43.3% | 0% more fails | 133,604 |
| 2000 | 299 | 40.8% | 0% more fails | 102,471 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Audi A2
Its weak spot is brakes: 11% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.2%18% below avg
- Suspension18.1%2% above avg
- Brakes16.3%11% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8%4% above avg
- Tyres7.2%8% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure6.7%35% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%19% below avg
- Steering5.3%9% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%56% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.1% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.95% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.56% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.48% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.12% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Stop lamp not working 2.85% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 7
Position lamp not working 2.54% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Service brakes uneven across an axle 2.44% of tests
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A2's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.79%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive12.97%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.09%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.73%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion7.87%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.45%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Audi A2
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 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 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
- Diesel60.6%
- Petrol39.4%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Audi A2 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A2 | 43.5% | about average for its age |
| Suzuki Wagon-R+ | 44.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 106 | 44.8% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Tigra | 48.1% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Baleno | 23.3% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Picasso | 27.8% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 50.6% | 51% 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 A2 questions, answered
Is the Audi A2 reliable?
On MOT results, the Audi A2 is about average: it fails 43.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Audi A2 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Audi A2 are coil spring fractured or broken (5.1% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.95% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.56% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 18.2% of its tests.
Which Audi A2 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2003 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How do I check a Audi A2 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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