Used car guide

2001 Audi A2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Audi A2s, from 1,016 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,016MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
5,700typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Audi A2s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Audi A2
    20.6% All 2001 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 1.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
    Audi A2
    12.5% All 2001 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

  • Shock absorbers2.3× usual
    Audi A2
    14% All 2001 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Windscreen2.2× usual
    Audi A2
    8.8% All 2001 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

  • Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
    Audi A2
    7.4% All 2001 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Brake pads: 2.2% here, against 5.6% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Audi A2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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.

  • Brakes
    40% 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
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Audi A2?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005863Suspension 44%
20041,391Suspension 44%
20031,092Suspension 45%
20021,319Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Audi A2s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score