2003 Audi A2 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Audi A2 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Audi A2 petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9× usual
  Audi A2

  8.8% All 2003 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Engine warning light3× usual
  Audi A2

  8.2% All 2003 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.7% of all 2003 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.

• Suspension arm2.1× usual
  Audi A2

  6.7% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.4% of all 2003 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.

• Individual direction indicators2× usual
  Audi A2

  6.5% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.5% of all 2003 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.

• Wheels2.1× usual
  Audi A2

  3.2% All 2003 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2003 Audi A2 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Audi A2 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  38% 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
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Audi A2 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2003 Audi A2 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2003 Audi A2 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 Audi A2 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?