2003 Audi A2 — MOT failures & pass rate
9,411 MOT tests on the 2003 Audi A2 are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 A2 comes out 1.4pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.5%) and lighting & signalling (14.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 786 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.4% versus 22.6%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.9% of the time against 29.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 1,366 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 1,357 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 1,160 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 688 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 546 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 498 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 786 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 603 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 451 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 417 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 390 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 367 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.9% | 2,912 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.8% | 2,800 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.8% | 2,335 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 1,480 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 1,446 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 1,215 |
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 | 31 | 22.6% |
| 30-60k | 458 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,444 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,581 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,234 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,659 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,940 | 29.1% |
| Petrol | 4,471 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,348 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 2,131 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 1,902 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 1,588 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 1,442 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 A2
On a 2003 A2, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.5% 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 (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 2003 Audi A2s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 9,411 2003 Audi A2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Audi A2?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.4%).
Does the 2003 A2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,411 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.