2020 Audi A1 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Audi A1 passed 91.5% of its 44,208 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 8.8%, so the 2020 A1 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and brakes (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and washers — brake pads alone was recorded 1,050 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.5% in the 0-30k band and 21.9% in the 90-120k band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.5% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 2,093 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.5% | 1,096 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 508 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 410 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 316 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 274 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 1,050 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 977 |
| 3 | Washers | 367 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 366 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 247 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 238 |
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 | 23.8% | 10,521 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 6,948 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.6% | 2,477 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 1,173 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.4% | 620 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.9% | 416 |
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 | 26,655 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 16,067 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,370 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 105 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 737 | 6.5% |
| 2023 | 14,571 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 14,266 | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 14,612 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 A1
On a 2020 A1, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Brakes (2.5% 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.
- Visibility (1.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2020 Audi A1s pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 44,208 2020 Audi A1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi A1?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by brakes (2.5%).
Does the 2020 A1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,208 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.