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Audi A2 8Z (2000-2005) reliability

At a glance

Audi A2 8Z built around 2002: about average at the MOT

Audi A2 8Z models built around 2002 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at an Audi A2 8Z?

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

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Audi A2 8Z models built around 2002 ended in a fail (retests included), against 33% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi A2 8Z models built around 2002 involves the tyres.

Audi A2 8Z
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2000-2005HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 7,981 tests of A2 models registered 2000-2005.

About 1 in 8 A2 8Z MOTs (12%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2002 (23 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,738 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 A2 8Z MOTs (6.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2002 (23 years old).

Based on 1,738 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

8Z fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
34429.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,70630.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,67531.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,68931.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,73833.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
82932.1%

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 23 years old.

How the A2 8Z compares

At each age below, see how the A2 8Z holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 8,966 tests across 7 Audi models, built around 2002 (23 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAudi average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
34429.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,70630.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,67531.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,68931.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,73833.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
82932.1%

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 A2 8Z.

  1. 1

    Honda Civic

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Audi A2 8Z on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,697 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  2. 2

    Honda Jazz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.8%
    Dangerous
    6.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    98%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 7.8%, against 12.0% for the Audi A2 8Z.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,469 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

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

2 recalls in all

1 of the 2 A2 8Z recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break

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

What has gone wrong on A2 8Z cars built around 2002

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 170 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
79%
Drivetrain
30%
Emissions
27%
Steering
10%
Bodywork
2%

Wear items

Lighting
81%
Brakes
80%
Tyres
68%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 12% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2002 (23 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel A2 tests (not specific to 8Z).

1.0 to 1.4 litres32.5%520 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres33.0%539 tests
How A2 8Z cars have aged

How A2 8Z 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.

0%10%20%30%1618202224Age at MOTBuilt around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (1,183 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (1,075 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (1,043 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (953 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (858 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (1,693 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (1,541 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (1,401 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (1,170 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (1,081 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (1,544 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,364 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (1,224 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (1,007 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (926 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (1,757 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (1,552 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (1,365 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (1,171 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (1,070 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (1,408 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (1,164 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (998 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (806 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (754 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002
How each part holds up as 8Z cars age

How each part holds up as 8Z cars age

The share of diesel cars built pre-2005 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 car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension74%70%79%78%
Brakes77%76%80%82%
Emissions24%17%27%23%
Tyres66%68%68%71%
Lighting71%80%81%80%
Drivetrain25%26%30%24%
Bodywork1%No figure2%1%
Steering6%10%10%12%
Corrosion8%5%12%7%

Based on diesel cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 103 to 178 cars at each age.

8Z variants compared

A2 8Z variants built around 2002

The fail rate for each A2 8Z variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • A232.8%1,059 tests

Petrol

  • A234.5%679 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Audi A2 models of this age

This list covers every Audi A2 built around 2002, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 8Z on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    20.8%
    Advisory: 354Fail: 10 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    16.3%
    Advisory: 376Fail: 35 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    16.2%
    Advisory: 279Fail: 101 (27% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.3%
    Advisory: 304Fail: 50 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    14.2%
    Advisory: 226Fail: 95 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,738 tests

Looking at an Audi A2 8Z?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2002 (23 years old), the Audi A2 8Z (2000-2005) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,738 23-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 7,981 MOT tests on Audi A2 models first registered between 2000-2005. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.