2003 Audi A2 TDi SE review from UK and Ireland

Noise from the EGR Valve - replaced valve at extreme cost (£300) and found out it was actually the solenoid that controls the valve. Two 50p rubber tap washers cured the problem.

Anti-roll-bar bushes and roll bar - cracked.

Brake back plates - a common fault they mysteriously bend and jam into the disc.

The handbrake is useless.

CD player internal springs are shot, causing it to skip; a replacement was hideously expensive, so the CD player is now suspended on elastic bands!

Gearstick rattles at idle, Audi have no idea why.

Near constant trim rattles, not serious but very annoying.

Bit of a strange one this, what niche does it fit into? It is cheap to run day to day, regularly returning 60 + mpg, the tax is only £35 and the insurance is cheap too. On the down-side it is horrifically expensive to service with Audi, and because of the aluminium body I don't really trust the average back-street garage to jack it up without damaging it. So you could say it is the cheapest prestige car you can own...

The performance is acceptable, nothing more, and once you've resigned yourself that you are driving a shopping trolley, the naff handling becomes quite fun!

The trim / gearstick / EGR valve / Turbo noise is frustrating to say the least, and seriously detracts from what is otherwise a good car. Very spacious and a nice place to be in, though.