2021 Audi A1 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 31,204 MOT tests, the 2021 Audi A1 recorded a 92.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (7.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.0%) and brakes (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 811 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.3% once past 90-120k — 2.5× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 1,544 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 640 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 374 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 332 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 309 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 61 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 811 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 565 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 306 |
| 4 | Washers | 285 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 178 |
| 6 | Wipers | 96 |
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 | 25.4% | 7,939 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.1% | 4,702 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.4% | 1,680 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 883 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 299 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.3% | 91 |
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 | 20,194 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 10,347 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 609 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 43 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 850 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 15,222 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 15,091 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 A1
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (2.1% 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 (1.2% 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 2021 Audi A1s pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 31,204 2021 Audi A1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A1?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by brakes (2.1%).
Does the 2021 A1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 16.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,204 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.