Used car guide

2003 Audi A2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Audi A2s, from 1,092 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,092MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,700typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for wheels

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Audi A2s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Wheels2.5× usual
    Audi A2
    3.7% All 2003 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Better than most

Brake pads: 2.9% here, against 6.5% of all 2003 cars. Sub-frame: 2.2% here, against 5.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Audi A2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    37% 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
    31% 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
    18% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Audi A2?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005863Suspension 44%
20041,391Suspension 44%
20021,319Suspension 49%
20011,016Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Audi A2s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score