Verdict
The Audi A2 passes its MOT first time on 54.6% of tests, 1.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (53.0%). That puts it ahead of 56% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2004 A2 does best (beats 62% of cars) and the 2001 worst (beats 51%).
Of its engines, the 1.4 Diesel does best (beats 61%) and the 1.4 Petrol worst (beats 44%).
Better than average on body & structure, seat belts & airbags.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel | 55.4% | Beats 61% | B |
| 1.4 Petrol | 52.5% | Beats 44% | C |
| 1.6 Petrol | 56.8% | Beats 60% | B |
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Coil springs 2.0× typical
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps. - Engine warning light 1.6× typical
The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy. - Brake performance 1.5× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal. - Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left. - Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre. - Handbrake performance
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight aim | 7.1% | 6.8% | 1.0× |
| Coil springs | 5.8% | 2.9% | 2.0× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 5.0% | 3.7% | 1.3× |
| Handbrake performance | 4.8% | 3.9% | 1.2× |
| Brake lights | 4.1% | 4.9% | 0.8× |
| Engine warning light | 4.0% | 2.5% | 1.6× |
| Drive shaft (CV) joints | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.2× |
| Brake performance | 3.7% | 2.4% | 1.5× |
| Track rod ends | 3.5% | 3.0% | 1.2× |
| Windscreen washers | 3.4% | 3.6% | 1.0× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 71.2 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 57.2 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 51.0 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 48.4 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 44.9 |
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 39.6 |
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 39.5 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 34.1 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
2005 Audi A22 engines57.1% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel | 57.6% | Beats 64% | B |
| 1.4 Petrol | 55.8% | Beats 50% | C |
2004 Audi A23 engines56.6% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel | 58.0% | Beats 68% | B |
| 1.4 Petrol | 51.3% | Beats 40% | D |
| 1.6 Petrol | 57.4% | Beats 61% | B |
2003 Audi A23 engines54.3% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel | 54.2% | Beats 60% | C |
| 1.6 Petrol | 55.8% | Beats 59% | C |
| 1.4 Petrol | 52.7% | Beats 47% | C |
2002 Audi A23 engines52.8% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel | 53.3% | Beats 56% | C |
| 1.4 Petrol | 51.1% | Beats 41% | C |
| 1.6 Petrol | 57.9% | Beats 63% | B |
2001 Audi A22 engines53.3% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Diesel | 53.8% | Beats 56% | C |
| 1.4 Petrol | 52.6% | Beats 45% | C |
2000 Audi A21 engine55.9% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Petrol | 55.9% | Beats 54% | C |
FAQ
What is the Audi A2 MOT pass rate?
54.6% of MOT tests on the Audi A2 were passed first time, based on 74,239 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2000–2005. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 53.0% of the time.
Is the Audi A2 reliable?
On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 56% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Audi A2 year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2004 A2 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 62% of cars on UK roads. The 2001 does worst: it beats 51%.
Which Audi A2 engine is best?
Across all years, the 1.4 Diesel does best: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 1.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 44%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Audi A2?
The most common failure items are headlight aim, coil springs, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 2.0× as often.