Audi A1 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Audi A1 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 209,053 UK MOT tests of the Audi A1 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 7.6× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (4.2×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.1×); tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (3.4×). The most common reasons a Audi A1 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Audi A1
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Audi A1 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.8% | 0.5% | 7.6× | 22,953 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6.3% | 1.5% | 4.2× | 27,758 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.1% | 1% | 3.1× | 2,144 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.4% | 1% | 3.4× | 1,077 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4.5% | 1.3% | 3.5× | 626 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 11% | 5.1% | 2.2× | 13,665 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 16% | 9.8% | 1.7× | 19,839 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 5.1% | 2% | 2.6× | 508 |
Audi A1 by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 11,924 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%, 1.6×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 31,548 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (4%, 4×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 15,440 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (6.3%, 3.9×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,711 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn (3.6%, 9×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 719 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn (4.2%, 8.4×) |
Audi A1 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,439 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.1×) |
| 2011 | 16,533 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.6×) |
| 2012 | 18,600 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.6×) |
| 2013 | 22,271 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.4×) |
| 2014 | 23,020 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.3×) |
| 2015 | 23,905 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.7×) |
| 2016 | 25,579 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.2×) |
| 2017 | 23,064 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.6×) |
| 2018 | 19,961 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (9×) |
| 2019 | 20,578 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.4×) |
| 2020 | 13,312 | Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.3×) |
| 2021 | 770 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.2×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Audi A1?
In 209,053 UK MOT tests of the Audi A1 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 7.6× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (4.2×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.1×); tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (3.4×). The most common reasons a Audi A1 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Why do Audi A1s fail the MOT?
Across 209,053 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Audi A1 were coil spring (fractured or broken) (5% of tests); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (3.4% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (3.6% of tests).
At what mileage do Audi A1 problems start?
The clearest Audi A1-specific issue, pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2016–2018 cars (3.8% of tests vs 0.5% for all cars that age).
Where does this Audi A1 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 209,053 tests of the Audi A1. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.