Audi A1 8X (2010-2018): known problems and buying guide

A sound small car when serviced, but get proof of the airbag recall work and check the suspension and gearbox before you buy.

Updated 26 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.0 TFSI, 95 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€351	€11,300	280	Petrol	DKL	Manual (5)	2015–2018
1.4 TDI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual	€354	€10,490	156	Diesel	CUS	Manual (5)	2014–2018
1.4 TFSI, 125 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€382	€10,990	114	Petrol	CZC	Manual (6)	2014–2018
1.0 TFSI, 95 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€358	€13,889	70	Petrol	DKL	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2015–2018
1.6 TDI, 116 PS, 5-speed manual	€358	€10,900	68	Diesel	CXM	Manual (5)	2014–2018
1.0 TFSI, 82 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€342	€11,300	63	Petrol	CHZ	Manual (5)	2016–2018
1.4 TFSI, 125 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€378	€14,500	59	Petrol	CZC	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2014–2018

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.

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.

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

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.

Operational	€140
Workshop	€102
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€115
Total per month	€357
New-car depreciation (not included)	€54

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.