2015 Audi A1 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Audi A1 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Audi A1 diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
  Audi A1

  15.6% All 2015 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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.

• Brake discs1.6× usual
  Audi A1

  19.8% All 2015 cars

  12.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2015 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.

• Braking performance1.6× usual
  Audi A1

  4.8% All 2015 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Engine warning light1.9× usual
  Audi A1

  2.8% All 2015 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Link ball joint covers2.9× usual
  Audi A1

  2% All 2015 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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 2015 Audi A1 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Audi A1 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  36% 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
  28% 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.

• Suspension
  27% 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 electrics
  9% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  3% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2015 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 2015 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2015 Audi A1 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2015 Audi A1 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2015 Audi A1 diesel as on other cars the same age.)