Used Audi A1 for sale: Everything you need to know
The A1 is the smallest Audi to date and was designed to compete with popular small cars like the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and Vauxhall Corsa, but with a sprinkling of the Audi premium feel to make it feel a bit more special. It has strong appeal for buyers, and because it was a popular choice when new there are plenty of used examples to choose from.
It is just as practical and economical as its more everyday rivals, but with the Audi badge, attractive looks and a nice interior if you choose the right trim, it makes for an appealing choice if you want a small car that doesn’t feel cheap.
How much does a used Audi A1 cost?
The cheapest Audi A1s are available for around £1,500, but expect these cars to be older first generation models with very high mileages and the now unpopular diesel engine option. £6,000 is enough for later examples of the first generation car in the lower trims such as Sport and SE, and likely with mileages of 75,000 and more. The second generation car arrived in 2018, and these more desirable versions start at around £8,000 for the less powerful 25 and 30 TFSI version with a higher mileage. £10,000 is enough for a lower mileage second generation car, while at the top end expect to pay close to £30,000 for a 2025 or 2026 car with 10,000 miles or fewer.
Which used Audi A1 should you buy?
First generation A1s were available in three- or five-door versions called Sportback, but most buyers chose the latter option and even if you don’t carry passengers very often it’s useful to have easy access to the rear seats.
The first generation A1 is a capable small car, but if your budget will stretch to a second generation version this is the one to have, as it offers better practicality and a more grown-up feel.
All second-generation A1s are Sportbacks with five doors. For most buyers the 30 TFSI version offers enough performance and strong economy in normal driving, while on earlier cars the 1.0 TFSI with 94PS provides a similarly useful balance of power and economy. The more powerful 35 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI on first generation models bring a useful boost in performance and are more capable on motorways, but for most buyers the lesser options will be more than sufficient. Avoid the 1.2 TFSI on very early cars while the discontinued 1.6 TDI would only make sense if you make lots of long journeys.
Which Audi A1 trim is best?
For second generation cars, the Audi A1 Sport is likely to be the most attractive option for the majority of buyers. It’s well equipped given it is the entry-level version and looks smart. S line versions come with sportier styling, but this includes larger alloy wheels and stiffer suspension which hurts the ride comfort. It’s a similar story with the first generation Audi A1, where SE is the entry level version and has a decent specification. Move up to the Sport or S line versions and while there is more equipment, the stiffer suspension comes at the cost of ride quality.
What should you check when buying a used Audi A1?
The majority of used Audi A1s on the market will be fitted with a version of the TFSI petrol engine, which generally speaking is reliable, but there are some common failure points that are worth investigating. All versions can suffer from high oil consumption, so a good service history that shows regular oil changes on time is important, turbochargers can malfunction on cars that are frequently driven in town at low engine speeds, and ignition coils can also fail.
1.2 and 1.4 TFSI engines use a timing chain rather than a timing belt which means incorrect or neglected oil changes can lead to excessive wear and failure. If you are looking at a 1.6 TDI version, DPF problems are more common in cars that perform frequent short journeys. Other common Audi A1 faults include stop-start systems, fuel pumps and air conditioning systems.
Automatic versions of the A1 use the DSG gearbox (called S tronic in Audi-speak) which can be problematic if neglected. Check the service history to ensure that scheduled maintenance has been carried out, and walk away from any car that is hesitant to change gears.
How much does an Audi A1 cost to run?
Thanks to the efficiency of the engines and the fact that it is a relatively small car, fuel economy should be strong almost regardless of which engine option you choose. Across both generations, the 1.0 TFSI engines offer strong economy thanks to their efficiency design - while official fuel consumption figures vary due to a change in the testing method, you can expect to see 40mpg and more comfortably, and even 50mpg upwards if driven with care.
Insurance
Engine choice and specification plays a big part in insurance costs for the Audi A1. With a first generation car, an A1 SE with the 1.2 TFSI engine falls into a low group 9, whereas the same specification but with the 1.6 TDI engine is in group 21, with 1.0 TFSI models around group 15. Second generation cars are inevitably a little more expensive, ranging from group 14 for an A1 25 TFSI Sport, up to group 26 for the same trim and the 35 TFSI engine.
Tax
The age of a used Audi A1 will play a big part in how much VED costs. Examples registered before 1st April 2017 pay according to CO2 emissions, which means some versions have very low costs indeed - some 1.0 TFSI versions drop below 100g/km, which means Band A rates, with many only paying Band B rates. Models after this date however all pay the standard annual rate.
Servicing
A lot of parts sharing with other Volkswagen Group vehicles means servicing costs are modest if you use an independent specialist, but if you choose to go to an Audi dealer expect to pay £250 for an oil service and £425 for an oil and inspection service with pollen filter.
Consumables
Again, with lots of parts commonality between the A1 and its sister cars such as the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia, buying original equipment specification parts need not be expensive.
Expensive scheduled maintenance
A cambelt change is likely to be the most expensive scheduled maintenance required, which falls between 80,000 miles and 140,000 miles depending on the exact engine specification fitted. S tronic-equipped A1s require a gearbox oil change every 38,000 miles or fewer, and while this is not hugely expensive, missed services can cause expensive problems.
