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Audi A1 GB (2018-2024) reliability

At a glance

Audi A1 GB built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi A1 GB models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at an Audi A1 GB?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Audi A1 GB models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi A1 GB models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Audi A1 GB
average reliability2018-2024HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 89,195 tests of A1 models registered 2018-2024.

About 1 in 10 petrol A1 cars registered in 2022 (9.7%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 13,390 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 40 A1 GB MOTs (2.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 15,298 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 A1 GB MOTs (6.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 15,298 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

GB fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
16,1628.7%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
16,40010.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
17,68312.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
23,65215.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15,29817.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 7 years old.

How the A1 GB compares

At each age below, see how the A1 GB holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 171,464 tests across 16 Audi models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAudi average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
16,1628.7%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
16,40010.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
17,68312.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
23,65215.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15,29817.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the A1 GB.

  1. 1

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 17.5% for the Audi A1 GB, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 17.5% for the Audi A1 GB, both built around 2018.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 17.5% for the Audi A1 GB, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 17.5% for the Audi A1 GB, both built around 2018.

    6,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

1 recall in all

No recall notices match this build period.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on A1 GB cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,397 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
16%
Emissions
4%
Drivetrain
1%

Wear items

Tyres
24%
Brakes
10%
Lighting
5%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol A1 tests (not specific to GB).

Under 1.0 litre19.3%7,374 tests1.0 to 1.4 litres17.2%16,471 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres13.9%568 tests
How A1 GB cars have aged

How A1 GB cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%34567Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (11,215 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (10,505 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.2% (10,010 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (9,119 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (9,073 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.1% (16,596 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (15,280 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (14,924 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (15,093 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.7% (16,622 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (15,464 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (15,245 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (15,384 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.6% (15,298 tests, 2025 data)2018
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as GB cars age

How each part holds up as GB cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension2%5%16%22%
Brakes8%12%10%13%
Emissions2%1%4%6%
Tyres12%20%24%26%
Lighting1%2%5%8%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figure1%1%
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 739 to 1,589 cars at each age.

GB variants compared

A1 GB variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each A1 GB variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • A117.4%14,496 tests

Diesel

  • A119.3%797 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Audi A1 models of this age

This list covers every Audi A1 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the GB on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.9%
    Advisory: 6,919Fail: 734 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.2%
    Advisory: 4,999Fail: 726 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.7%
    Advisory: 3,939Fail: 1,513 (28% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.3%
    Advisory: 4,574Fail: 101 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.7%
    Advisory: 2,676Fail: 460 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 26,423 tests

Looking at an Audi A1 GB?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A1 GB (2018-2024) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 15,298 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 89,195 MOT tests on Audi A1 models first registered between 2018-2024. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.