73 AUTO

MOT performance

Audi A1 MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 431,497 MOT tests of the Audi A1 in 2023–2024, 77.7% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Audi A1s failed 7% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn”, on 3.00% of tests.

431,497 MOT tests on 220,623 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Audi A1 MOT results at a glance
FigureValueBasis
First-time pass rate77.7%±0.1 pts (95%), n = 431,497
Failures vs similar cars0.93×same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect7.8%n = 431,497
Average age at test7.3 yearsn = 431,497
Median mileage at test51,257 milesn = 431,497
Vehicles tested220,6232023–2024

Where Audi A1s fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Audi A1 MOT failures by area
AreaTests failed on itvs similar cars
Suspension7.7%+20%
Tyres7.2%+19%
Lights, reflectors and electrical5.2%-35%
Brakes4.4%-12%
Driver's view of the road2.4%-42%
Noise, emissions and leaks1.6%-21%
Body, chassis and structure1.6%-20%
Seat belts and airbags0.7%+27%
Steering0.5%-64%
Registration plates and VIN0.3%+29%
Road wheels0.2%-31%
Speedometer and driving controls0.0%-75%

Audi A1 MOT pass rate by fuel: petrol vs diesel

Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.

Audi A1 MOT results by fuel
FuelTestsAverage ageFirst-time passvs similar cars
Petrol331,7526.7 yrs80.4%-11%
Diesel99,7379.3 yrs68.9%+3%

Audi A1 MOT pass rate by generation

Generations by first-registration date against 73 Auto's catalogue (cars registered within three months of a changeover left out).

Audi A1 MOT results by generation
GenerationTestsAverage ageFirst-time passvs similar cars
8X (2010–2018)337,1768.4 yrs74.7%-7%
GB (2018 on)81,8043.2 yrs89.2%-12%

Most common failure items

Most common Audi A1 MOT failure items
ItemAreaShare of tests
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension3.00%
Coil spring: fractured or brokenSuspension2.72%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres2.63%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes1.94%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres1.62%
Condition: has ply or cords exposedTyres1.38%
Headlamp aim: too lowLights, reflectors and electrical1.03%
Brake discs: significantly and obviously wornBrakes0.93%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension0.90%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquidDriver's view of the road0.90%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Audi A1 MOT advisories
ItemAreaShare of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres16.07%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakenedBrakes13.09%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structureTyres9.86%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes8.07%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension7.58%

Pass rate by age

Audi A1 MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)TestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
3-467,56288.8%-12%
5-684,66981.6%+4%
7-896,21077.4%-6%
9-1087,75772.1%-10%
11-1263,79666.7%-9%
13-159,54964.0%-12%

Pass rate by registration year

Audi A1 MOT pass rate by registration year
RegisteredTestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
202252792.6%0.73×
202115,08389.7%0.93×
202026,78589.8%0.89×
201941,07088.5%0.86×
201839,91784.1%1.00×
201746,08180.0%1.06×
201651,23777.8%1.00×
201547,71577.4%0.89×
201445,96173.9%0.90×
201344,54670.2%0.92×
201236,99268.4%0.89×
201132,74265.1%0.91×
20102,83664.0%0.91×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

Check a specific Audi A1

Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.