Audi S1

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 2.0 petrol. 25 of 142 tests failed, 18%.

Better than 48% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
• Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
• Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
• A tyre cords visible or damaged
• A headlamp cleaning device inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID)
• A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

Where it stands out against its peers

• Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 92% of 2014 cars — 24% of its 25 failed tests, where an ordinary 2014 car has 8%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Tyres and wheels — 40% of its failures
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre cords visible or damaged
• Suspension — 36% of its failures
  • A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Exhaust and emissions — 24% of its failures
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
• Brakes — 16% of its failures
• Lights and electrics — 24% of its failures
  • A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• Body and structure — 8% of its failures

Specification