Audi A1 common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with an Audi A1?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Blocked DPF and rising oil (1.6 TDI)

  Cars registered 2010–2018 · 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

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  Cars registered 2010–2014 · 1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

• Bluetooth and small electrical faults

  Cars registered 2010–2018 · 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

  Cars registered 2010–2018 · 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

• Jerky S tronic pulling away

  Cars registered 2019–2025 · 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

Common Audi A1 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 4.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  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.

• Link ball joint covers

  up to 2.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

  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.

Diesel

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 5.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  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 discs

  up to 1.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

  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.

• Link ball joint covers

  up to 2.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

  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.

• Braking performance

  up to 1.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

  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 light

  up to 1.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2015.

  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.

Audi A1 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Audi A1 did best (68% passed first time, 4 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2017 did worst (79%, 1 point below all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Audi A1

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. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
3. Have there been any electrical faults?
4. Have the wheels been refurbished?
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the Audi A1 as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Audi A1 as on other cars the same age.)