2021 Audi A1 30 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 872 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi A1 30, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 90.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 41 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.7% | 41 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 15 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 9 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 42 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 31 |
| 3 | Brake discs | 16 |
| 4 | Washers | 13 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
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 | 23.6% | 206 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.7% | 189 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 53 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 28 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
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 | 531 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 320 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 430 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 422 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 A1 30
Before buying a 2021 Audi A1 30, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests for this year.
- 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 (4.7% 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 (1.7% 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 A1 30s pass their MOT?
90.4% of the 872 2021 Audi A1 30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A1 30?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by brakes (4.7%).
Does the 2021 A1 30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 872 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.