Audi A1 MOT pass rate and common problems
82.9% of 386,496 Audi A1 MOT tests pass.
At 82.9%, the A1 passes slightly less often than the average across all Audi models (84.5%).
The Audi A1 has a pass rate of 82.9%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Audi A1?
This is the average across every Audi A1 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 93.0% at 0–3 years to 76.4% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.0% | 22,260 | 22,267 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.4% | 91,832 | 33,507 miles |
| 6–10 years | 82.0% | 152,316 | 57,631 miles |
| 10–15 years | 76.4% | 120,086 | 85,286 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi A1
The most common reason the Audi A1 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 37.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 37.3% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Tyres | 34.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 27.8% | Not working |
| Brakes | 24.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 10.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.4% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Audi A1: what to check
These checks follow the Audi A1’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi A1 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 90.4% to 82.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 92.5% down to 85.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 37.3% of failed Audi A1 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 34.5% of failed Audi A1 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 27.8% of failed Audi A1 MOTs. 10.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 24.7% of failed Audi A1 MOTs. 7.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.2% of failed Audi A1 MOTs. 3.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi A3 — 82.2% pass rate
- Audi A4 — 80.0% pass rate
- Audi A5 — 85.0% pass rate
- Audi Q3 — 87.6% pass rate
- Audi A6 — 85.3% pass rate
- Audi TT — 83.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A1?
- 82.9% of Audi A1 MOT tests pass, based on 386,496 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi A1?
- The most common reason the Audi A1 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 37.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Audi A1?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi A1 are suspension; tyres; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 12.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi A1?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi A1's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.