2015 Audi A1 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 139,629 MOT tests analysed for the 2015 Audi A1, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 84.7% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (82.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.1% in the 150k+ group versus 7.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 8,753 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 8,470 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 5,197 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 4,835 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 2,292 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 1,947 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 5,629 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 4,719 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 3,139 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 2,742 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,653 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 2,087 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.3% | 38,171 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.4% | 29,866 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.2% | 18,481 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 9,215 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 3,810 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 2,143 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 14,825 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 63,483 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 45,425 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 12,991 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,367 | 22.6% |
| 150k+ | 510 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 91,137 | 14.0% |
| Diesel | 48,492 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,098 | 11.3% |
| 2022 | 27,524 | 13.2% |
| 2023 | 28,070 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 28,442 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 28,495 | 18.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 A1
Before buying a 2015 Audi A1, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.3% 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.
- Suspension (6.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2015 Audi A1s pass their MOT?
84.7% of the 139,629 2015 Audi A1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Audi A1?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by suspension (6.1%).
Does the 2015 A1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 139,629 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.