AUDI A1 (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 19,912 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
93%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1498cc Petrol
Great Choice
93% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 11 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.
At 5 years old, 93% of AUDI A1s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 19,912 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 23,658 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
23,658
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 AUDI A1 has 23,658 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2023 model with a 99% MOT pass rate, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2021 sits between the two at 93%.
AUDI A1 by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 99% | 77 | 20,092 mi | |
| 2022 | 96% | 685 | 19,593 mi | |
| 2021 | 93% | 19,912 | 23,658 mi | |
| 2020 | 92% | 22,550 | 29,393 mi | |
| 2019 | 91% | 39,396 | 35,825 mi | |
| 2018 | 87% | 37,868 | 41,731 mi | |
| 2017 | 85% | 44,841 | 49,409 mi | |
| 2016 | 84% | 50,731 | 57,760 mi | |
| 2015 | 84% | 47,687 | 66,329 mi | |
| 2014 | 83% | 47,359 | 72,929 mi | |
| 2013 | 81% | 47,355 | 80,281 mi | |
| 2012 | 81% | 40,965 | 89,124 mi | |
| 2011 | 79% | 37,936 | 96,304 mi | |
| 2010 | 78% | 3,317 | 100,154 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 AUDI A1
The 2021 AUDI A1 is a premium with a 1498cc petrol engine. 19,912 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 23,658 miles at 5 years old, AUDI A1 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 AUDI A1 Fuel Costs
The 1498cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 AUDI A1?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
AUDI A1 Reliability Trend
Newer AUDI A1s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 AUDI A1
At 5 years old, the AUDI A1 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2023 model has the highest pass rate at 99%. With 19,912 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 AUDI A1's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2021 AUDI A1 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUDI A1(2021) | 93% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1587 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£187 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£145 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Audi Models
Explore other Audi cars or similar models in the same category.
AUDI A3
2015 · 1598cc Diesel
AUDI A4
2017 · 1968cc Diesel
AUDI A5
2017 · 2967cc Diesel
FORD FIESTA
2019 · 998cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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