Used car guide

2023 Audi A1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Audi A1s, from 957 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

957MOT tests in 2025
94%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
7,100typical miles a year
16%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Audi A1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    16% 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
    6% 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
    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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% 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
202215,010Tyres 27%
202114,095Tyres 29%
202013,360Tyres 30%
201920,494Tyres 30%
201819,886Tyres 33%
201722,867Tyres 33%
201625,403Tyres 33%
201523,475Tyres 34%
201422,877Tyres 34%
201322,183Tyres 35%
201218,224Tyres 36%
201115,712Suspension 43%
20101,350Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Audi A1s registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score