Audi A1 (2016)
2016 Audi A1
CarHunch analysed 25,883 real MOT records for the 2016 Audi A1. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Audi A1 passes its MOT first time at 86.6%, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is a solid result—though the fact that 35.5% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point is a serious red flag for any buyer to investigate carefully. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 87.1% pass rate versus 84.6% for diesels, suggesting the petrol engines are more robust long-term.
At a median 39,359 miles for an eight-year-old car, these A1s are running relatively low mileage, which partly explains the good first-time pass rate. The average of 1.23 failures and 8.7 advisories per vehicle indicates wear is manageable but cumulative—get a pre-purchase inspection done focusing on suspension, brakes and electrical systems, as these typically rack up the advisories on this model.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2016 Audi A1
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 35.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Audi A1
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (77%) | 20,054 | 87.1% | 1.17 |
| Diesel (23%) | 5,825 | 84.6% | 1.42 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 92.9% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 Audi A1 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2016 Audi A1 vehicles fall between 29,631 and 50,147 miles.
2016 Audi A1 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 24,433 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Audi A1
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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42.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.6%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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26.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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23.4%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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17.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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16.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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15.7%
Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi A1?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.