2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 961 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 92.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).

Pass rate

961

MOT tests analysed

7.1%

Fail rate

better than

vs cars of similar age

3.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	4.7%	45
2	Lighting & signalling	1.4%	13
3	Brakes	1.3%	12
4	Seat belts & restraints	0.8%	8
5	Visibility	0.6%	6
6	Emissions & environmental	0.3%	3

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Headlamp aim	10
2	Brake pads	8
3	Tread depth	7
4	Brake discs	5
5	Washers	5
6	Malfunction indicator lamp	3

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	17.8%	171
2	Brakes	13.1%	126
3	Other defects	4.6%	44
4	Visibility	2.6%	25
5	Steering	0.6%	6
6	Seat belts & restraints	0.5%	5

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	690	5.9%
30-60k	256	9.8%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2024	463	6.9%
2025	488	7.4%

What to check before buying a 2021 A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A

Before buying a 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests for this year.

Tyres (4.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Brakes (1.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-As pass their MOT?

92.9% of the 961 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).

Does the 2021 A1 S Line Black Ed 35 S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.8% in the 30-60k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 961 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.