2013 Audi A1 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Audi A1 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Audi A1 diesel than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Audi A1

  23.5% All 2013 cars

  13.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Audi A1

  14.3% All 2013 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Audi A1

  12.1% All 2013 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 3.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Audi A1

  6.1% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Link ball joint covers1.9× usual
  Audi A1

  2.8% All 2013 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2013 Audi A1 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Audi A1 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  37% 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.

• Suspension
  33% 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
  31% 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
  15% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  6% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2013 Audi A1 diesel

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.

• Blocked DPF and rising oil (1.6 TDI)

  1.6 TDI diesel

  The 1.6 diesel's particulate filter needs high-speed runs to clean itself. Interrupted cleaning can also put fuel into the oil, so the oil level rises.

  At the viewing: Ask how the car is used, and check the dipstick: oil above the top mark or smelling of diesel is a bad sign.

  If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A1 2010-2018 advice

• Bluetooth and small electrical faults

  All engines

  Phone pairing can drop out and there are some niggly electrical faults.

  At the viewing: Pair your own phone on the test drive.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A1 2010-2018 advice

• Kerbed alloys

  All engines

  A1s spend a lot of time in towns, so kerbed or cracked wheels are common.

  At the viewing: Check each wheel rim for scuffs and cracks.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A1 2010-2018 advice

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Audi A1 diesel

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

1. Has it done regular motorway runs, and has the DPF been cleaned?
2. Have there been any electrical faults?
3. Have the wheels been refurbished?
4. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2013 Audi A1 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 Audi A1 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2013 Audi A1 diesel as on other cars the same age.)