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AUDI A1 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 12,232 MOT tests from 1,282 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every AUDI A1 has the same fault.

AUDI A1's have a very good reliability rating of 660/999. The score was calculated from the average of every AUDI A1 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the AUDI A1.

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Check an Audi A1 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Audi A1 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A789/999Very good72,376 miles9,688 vehicles
N/AN/A766/999Very good80,855 miles14,806 vehicles
N/AN/A736/999Very good79,051 miles14,202 vehicles
N/AN/A682/999Good71,730 miles4,400 vehicles
N/AN/A646/999Good75,544 miles10,347 vehicles
N/AN/A614/999Good79,822 miles7,142 vehicles
N/AN/A613/999Good76,050 miles7,784 vehicles
N/AN/A577/999Above average79,432 miles7,444 vehicles
N/AN/A515/999Above average78,243 miles1,221 vehicles

How reliable is the AUDI A1?

Based on 12,232 MOT tests from 1,282 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,282

MOT tests

12,232

Pass rate

82%

Median mileage

74,329 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every AUDI A1 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 706 out of 999.

Common AUDI A1 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,279 advisory comments and 274 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,261 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 513 advisory comments and 86 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 332 advisory comments and 123 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 228 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 56 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES A FAULT (7.1.6 (A))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 42 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 34 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

AUDI A1 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2026150—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025130—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
202491100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023323488.2%Tyre wear
20224610786%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021299490.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20204821588.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20197744585.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20187050385.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20178470084.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016112103584.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015138130884.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014144168982.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013139164881.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012127175379.1%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011157231878.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20101425076.8%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used AUDI A1

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Buying a AUDI A1?

Common problems tell you what can affect AUDI A1s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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