2020 Audi A1: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Audi A1 first registered in 2020: we looked at the 39,764 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2020 Audi A1 MOT failures and advisories
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.
- Tyres27% 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.
- Brakes17% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension3% 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.
- Lights and electrics2% 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 seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2020 Audi A1
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- S tronic automatic
Jerky S tronic pulling away
The S tronic automatic can be jerky pulling away from junctions and roundabouts. It ranked 14th of 19 small cars in What Car?'s reliability survey.
At the viewing: Pull away from a junction several times.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Audi A1
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at an Audi A1?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Audi A1 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 984 | Tyres 16% |
| 2022 | 15,755 | Tyres 26% |
| 2021 | 28,674 | Tyres 29% |
| 2019 | 60,535 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 58,814 | Tyres 32% |
| 2017 | 68,163 | Tyres 33% |
| 2016 | 75,827 | Tyres 33% |
| 2015 | 70,503 | Tyres 33% |
| 2014 | 68,304 | Tyres 34% |
| 2013 | 66,272 | Tyres 35% |
| 2012 | 54,835 | Tyres 35% |
| 2011 | 48,250 | Suspension 39% |
| 2010 | 4,170 | Suspension 43% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Audi A1 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score