Used car guide

2004 Audi A2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Audi A2s, from 1,391 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,391MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,000typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for engine warning light

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Audi A2s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Engine warning light1.9× usual
    Audi A2
    5.8% All 2004 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 3.1% of all 2004 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.1× usual
    Audi A2
    3.7% All 2004 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Wheels2.2× usual
    Audi A2
    3.3% All 2004 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2004 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.7% here, against 9.5% of all 2004 cars. Brake pads: 1.9% here, against 7.2% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Audi A2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    38% 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
    34% 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
    15% 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
    11% 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%
20031,092Suspension 45%
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 2004 Audi A2s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score