Used car guide

2020 Audi A1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Audi A1s, from 9,714 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,714MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,800typical miles a year
1.5×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Audi A1s than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake pads1.5× usual
    Audi A1
    14.3% All 2020 cars
    9.3%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Track rod end4.1× usual
    Audi A1
    2.9% All 2020 cars
    0.7%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2020 Audi A1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    21% 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.

  • Suspension
    6% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Audi A1?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20228,839Tyres 27%
20218,177Tyres 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%
201115,707Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Audi A1s registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score