Audi A2 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

4,799 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2001–2004 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Audi A2 years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2001–2002. None is clearly above it. The other 2 years can't be told apart from average.

Below the average for their first-use year2001–2002
Above the average for their first-use yearNone
Can't be told apart from average2003–2004

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

55.8%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 54.4% to 57.2%.

Audi A2, all years55.8%
Same-age average, all vehicles59.2%

In 2025, 55.8% of the 4,799 initial MOT tests on Audi A2 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 59.2%. That is 3.4 points below the same-age average.

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Its own MOT history, free.

Audi A2 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

Year	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2004age 21	1,385127,700	57.3%±2.7	−0.5 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 22	1,090125,500	57.2%±3.0	−1.5 ptsall: 58.7%
2002age 23	1,310129,800	54.5%±2.8	−5.0 ptsall: 59.5%
2001age 24	1,014135,200	53.9%±3.1	−7.2 ptsall: 61.1%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Audi A2 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

54.8% of Audi A2 tests at 90,000 to 119,999 miles passed first time, against 55.0% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 57.0% and 55.3%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
90,000–119,999	1,115	54.8%±3.0	−2.2 ptsall: 57.0%
120,000 or more	2,757	55.0%±1.9	−0.4 ptsall: 55.3%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, A2 tests were about average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Audi A2 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000, 30,000–59,999 and 60,000–89,999. 5 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common A2 problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,122 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these can add up to more than 100%.

Lights and electrics43.4%
Suspension41.1%
Brakes34.8%
Noise, emissions, leaks20.4%
Tyres16.3%
Body, chassis, structure15.0%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.

Most common MOT failures on the Audi A2

The defects recorded most often at the 2,122 failed initial tests on Audi A2 cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension	12.8%272 tests	4.9%
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights and electrics	12.0%255 tests	8.6%
Parking brake efficiency below requirementsBrakes	9.8%208 tests	6.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	9.1%193 tests	5.6%
Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure	8.3%176 tests	7.1%
Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics	7.3%155 tests	9.2%
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics	6.4%136 tests	11.7%
Service brake imbalance across an axleBrakes	6.2%132 tests	3.6%
Service brake performance excessively bindingBrakes	6.2%131 tests	4.1%
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension	5.6%118 tests	2.6%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the A2's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing an A2

Based on the areas where Audi A2 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Lights and electrics
In 43.4% of failed A2 tests
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Suspension
In 41.1% of failed A2 tests
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Brakes
In 34.8% of failed A2 tests
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Noise, emissions, leaks
In 20.4% of failed A2 tests
- Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
- Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
- Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check an A2's MOT history

Audi A2 questions

Which Audi A2 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2001–2002. None is clearly above average. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Audi A2 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 55.8% of initial MOT tests on Audi A2 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 59.2%. That is 3.4 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Audi A2 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 43.4% of failed tests), suspension (in 41.1% of failed tests) and brakes (in 34.8% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 21-year-old Audi A2?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Audi A2 cars first used in 2004, about 21 years old, had a median of 127,700 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific A2's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Audi A2

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other Audi models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 18 Audi models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Audi A2 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count