Used car guide

2011 Audi A1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Audi A1s, from 15,707 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,707MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,000typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Audi A1s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Audi A1
    17.9% All 2011 cars
    10.8%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    Audi A1
    7.1% All 2011 cars
    2.7%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes3.4× usual
    Audi A1
    2.4% All 2011 cars
    0.7%
    Rough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.3% here, against 8.1% of all 2011 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.5% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Audi A1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    35% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Audi A1?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20228,839Tyres 27%
20218,177Tyres 30%
20209,714Tyres 30%
201919,948Tyres 30%
201819,881Tyres 33%
201722,864Tyres 33%
201625,401Tyres 33%
201523,463Tyres 34%
201422,862Tyres 34%
201322,168Tyres 35%
201218,213Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Audi A1s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score