Item: Used Audi A2 2000 - 2005
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Hatchback

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

The Audi A2 can be expensive, but it's still a good buy due to its blend of practcality and efficiency.

Used Audi A2 2000 - 2005

The A2 isn't as cheap to buy used as some cars of this size because its prestige badge and desirability mean it holds its value tenaciously from new. Whichever version you choose, you'll be forking a lot of cash.

It's much better news on running costs. Fuel economy is terrific on every model thanks to lightweight construction and frugal engines.

Insurance costs are quite reasonable, too. Both the 1.4 petrol and diesel come with a group five insurance rating, and the 1.6 sits in group eight. As you might expect with an Audi, you'll pay more for routine servicing than you would for other cars of a similar size.

When you've bought your A2, be very careful how you drive it. The aluminium construction may have huge benefits in other areas, but it makes bodyshop repairs very slow and very expensive. Even the slightest prang can be costly to fix.

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The Audi A2 can be expensive, but it's still a good buy due to its blend of practcality and efficiency.

Two engines lasted the whole of the A2's life: a 1.4 petrol and a 1.4 TDi diesel. Both have 75bhp, which is plenty enough to haul the A2's lightweight aluminium construction around.

The diesel's low-down pull and fuel economy of 64.2mpg is great. However, the petrol is almost as good to drive, and while the fuel economy of 46.3mpg is some way short of the diesel's, it's not to be sniffed at, especially when it's much cheaper to buy as a used car.

Two other engines appeared at various stages, an 89bhp version of the diesel and a 1.6 petrol. Both had their talents, but there wasn't really any need for this more powerful diesel, and the 1.6 costs significantly more to insure.

Rather than the basic or Sport trims, SE is the one you want, because you'll get climate control to add to its already generous standard kit.

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

The good news is that the Audi A2 is a good deal more reliable than the average car, according to data supplied to us by Warranty Direct. This means that, hopefully, those big repair bills will be few and far between.

Over half the faults reported on the A2 are electrical, so take plenty of time to make sure that all the gadgets work properly, and check the service history for any past problems. Because electrical issues can be hard to spot on a short test drive, a pre-purchase inspection might also be wise.

The turbo on the diesel engine can fail, too, which is another costly replacement.

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The Audi A2 is one of those cars that was ahead of its time. When it came out prestige brands didn't do small hatchbacks, and as a consequence many people didn't know what to make of it. But while sales were sluggish, this wasn't due to any lack of quality or ability.

You might expect <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a>'s attention to detail to wane, but not a bit of it; no other small car is built this well.

The interior is also sufficiently roomy for four, although five is a squeeze, and the boot is just about big enough to make it realistic small-family transport.

The A2's not bad to drive, either. Being built largely from lightweight aluminium, that helps it feel nimble and controlled on back roads, while motorway cruising is solid and fuss-free. The ride is more fidgety than we'd like, though.

Refinement is good. Wind and road noise are impressively contained, but the engines aren't so good: rev them hard, and they make a lot of noise, especially the diesel.

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Used Audi A2 2000 - 2005 review

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