Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 TFSI, 86 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €375 | €6,899 | 479 | Petrol | CBZ | Manual (5) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.4 TFSI, 122 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €391 | €7,790 | 203 | Petrol | CAX | Manual (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €353 | €7,499 | 172 | Diesel | CAY | Manual (5) | 2011–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €356 | €6,200 | 170 | Diesel | CAY | Manual (5) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.4 TFSI, 122 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €390 | €9,000 | 103 | Petrol | CAX | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 90 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €366 | €9,400 | 63 | Diesel | CAY | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2011–2014 |
| 1.4 TFSI, 185 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €409 | €10,500 | 61 | Petrol | CTH | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2010–2014 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2010 to 2018. The Sportback came in 2012. The facelift came in late 2014 (ADAC).
- Main faults: the airbag and seat belt pretensioner recall, and suspension wear from about seven years old. The DSG gearbox and the 1.2 and 1.4 TFSI timing chain are the powertrain faults to check.
- Reliability: 3/5, because the TÜV inspection reports rate it well for its age, but one recall is a safety fault and the DSG and timing chain often need work.
- DIY: 2/5, because the chain and gearbox jobs need a workshop. The checks below need no tools unless marked.
- Prefer: a car with the airbag recall work on record and a dated gearbox oil change.
- Avoid: a car with no recall proof, and a DSG that jerks when pulling away.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 (CBZ, CAX, CTH): the timing chain can stretch on the 1.2 and 1.4 TFSI, and two German sites report high oil use, one naming the 185 PS 1.4. See the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI guide.
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA211 (CPT, CZC, CZE): the timing belt replaced the chain with the facelift. No A1-specific fault was cross-checked. See the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA211 guide.
- 1.0 TSI three-cylinder (CHZ, DKL): no A1-specific fault was cross-checked. See the 1.0 TSI guide.
- 2.0 TFSI gen 3 (CWZ, S1): see the 2.0 TFSI EA888 guide.
- 1.8 TFSI (DAJ), related engine: no A1-specific fault was found. See the 2.0 TFSI EA888 guide, which covers the same family.
- 1.6 and 2.0 TDI EA189 (CAY, CFH): emissions software update, named by two German sites for the A1. See the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI guide.
- 1.4 TDI (CUS) and 1.6 TDI (CXM), EA288, related engine: no A1-specific fault source was found. See the 2.0 TDI EA288 guide.
- 7-speed S tronic DQ200 (0AM, 0CW): jerks when pulling away and clutch wear, named by three German press sites for the A1. Gebrauchtwagenberater names a 2013 service action that replaced the synthetic gear oil. See the DQ200 guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag and seat belt pretensioner recall | 2016 and 2017 builds (UK model year 2016; Germany built July to December 2016; Austria model year 2017) | Any; a manufacturing defect | Free of charge (recall) |
| Axle springs, dampers and struts | All, from about seven years old | Not stated; owner logs at 51,000 to 186,000 km | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Airbag recall by VIN. Ask an Audi dealer to check the VIN for the airbag and seat belt pretensioner recall. The UK DVSA recall page also works. A car with no proof of the work may not deploy its airbag or belt pretensioner in a crash. No tools needed.
- Airbag warning light. Switch the ignition on. The airbag light should go out after a few seconds. If it stays on, the airbag system has a fault. A scanner reads the fault code. Needs a scanner.
- Suspension bounce and knocks. Push down each corner of the car and let go. It should settle after one bounce. On a test drive, listen for knocks over bumps and for noise when turning on the spot. These point to worn struts, mounts or stabilizer links. No tools needed.
Running costs
| Operational | €160 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €104 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €117 |
| Total per month | €381 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €53 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,349
- 25th percentile
- €5,900
- Median price
- €7,490
- 75th percentile
- €9,000
- Median mileage
- 150,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2012
- Dealer share
- 56%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €9,087
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Airbag and seat belt pretensioner recall
Symptoms: in a crash, the airbag or seat belt pretensioner (the belt that tightens in a crash) may not trigger.
Cause: a manufacturing error in the UK recall. Press and the Austrian club describe an ignition mix off-spec in the airbag units and belt tensioners.
Which cars: UK, 2,622 cars of model year 2016. Germany, cars built July to December 2016 (Gebrauchtwagenberater). Austria, model year 2017 (190 cars, all models).
Fix: the air bag assembly or the pretensioner is replaced at a dealer or workshop. In the UK the repair is free of charge for the owner. Revised parts are not stated.
Cost: free of charge (UK, 2017 recall).
Sources: DVSA recall check, Auto Express, ÖAMTC, gebrauchtwagenberater.de
Axle springs, dampers and struts
Symptoms: knocks over bumps, creaks, and noise when turning the wheel on the spot. Dampers are the shock absorbers.
Cause: wear of the springs, dampers, strut top mounts (the bearings at the top of each strut) and stabilizer links (the anti-roll bar links).
Which cars: TÜV inspections find more axle spring and damper faults on 11- and 12-year-old cars than average. CarWiki, quoting the TÜV Report 2021, gives the first failures from the seventh year. Owner logs report strut mounts and stabilizer links worn at 51,000 to 186,000 km.
Fix: the worn parts are replaced. Owner logs replaced strut bearings, bump stops, ball joints and stabilizer links, and one owner replaced the dampers.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: CarWiki, AUTO BILD, DRIVE2 owner log
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK (DVSA) | R/2017/078 | Model year 2016 (DVSA filter); 2,622 cars | Air bag or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger (manufacturing error); replaced free at a dealer |
| Germany (two German press sites) | not given | Not stated for the A1; 1.6 TDI up to November 2014 (Gebrauchtwagenberater) | Emissions software update on EA189 diesels; check it was done |
Check every campaign by VIN before you buy. The UK recall list filters by model year only.
Maintenance
- DSG oil: keep the invoices. See the DQ200 guide for the 2013 oil action.
- Suspension: from about seven years old, check the struts, mounts and stabilizer links for play and noise at each service.
- Airbag: keep the dealer record of the airbag and belt pretensioner work.
Sources
English
German
- CarWiki: Audi A1 8X problems
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Audi A1 problems and faults
- AUTO BILD: Audi A1 TÜV report
- ÖAMTC: Audi airbag system recall