2003 Audi A2 MOT pass rate: 62.3% (3,698 tests)
Is the 2003 A2 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60.1% -4.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 64.0% -0.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.4% -2.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 A2
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1,119 | 24.1% |
| 2 | Suspension | 1,014 | 21.8% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 880 | 18.9% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 451 | 9.7% |
| 5 | Tyres | 374 | 8.1% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 303 | 6.5% |
All A2 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 3,470 | 61.5% | -5.2 pts | 133,992 |
| 2002 | 4,497 | 61.4% | -4.4 pts | 127,240 |
| 2003 (this page) | 3,698 | 62.3% | -2.7 pts | 124,082 |
| 2004 | 4,510 | 63.3% | -1.1 pts | 125,075 |
| 2005 | 2,812 | 63.1% | -1.4 pts | 126,441 |
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Audi A2 reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 62.3% of their MOT tests (3,698 tests, 2023–2025), -2.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 124,082 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 A2?
The median tested example shows 124,082 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.