2021 Audi A1: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Audi A1?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Audi A1 than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Brake discs1.6× usual
  Audi A1

  9.5% All 2021 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Common 2021 Audi A1 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Audi A1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  16% 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 mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Suspension
  1% 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.

Known faults on the 2021 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.

• Jerky S tronic pulling away

  S tronic automatic

  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.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A1 (2018 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Audi A1

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2021 Audi A1 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?