AUDI A2 1.4 TDI SE 5dr (2000)

Cheap to run but expensive to fix

I wanted a nice economical car as I've moved into sort of semi retirement now and I just need to do the odd trip to see clients. I go quite long distances sometimes so I liked the general levels of comfort in the Audi A2.

I've been very impressed by the running costs. You always expect diesels to be more economical and the Audi A2 TDI doesn't disappoint. It's getting well clear of 60 miles a gallon most days, although my drives are usually on pretty quiet roads.

I bought it new and I thought it was quite pricey. I had previously bought from a different Audi dealer near me and been very disappointed with their levels of service. I almost walked away from Audi altogether but just happened to use a different Audi garage for some repair or other (on a car before the Audi A2) and found them to be excellent, courteous and prompt. So I've gone with them from now on and not been disappointed. They've seen to all the warranty claims I've had in good time.

That does bring me on to the down side though. The good point with the running costs is the low fuel costs and as a result the trivial £30 a year on tax, but the bad side, which is unlike Audi, is the repairs on the Audi A2. I suppose it's not been horrific but it's just not what you expect. For a year or so the alarm went off every few months for no apparent reason. I eventually got it seen to during a service and they fixed it up. The sunroof failed to open and after a long time thinking about whether to fix it, I did so, and it cost me a few hundred. Part of this is the high cost of Audi labour which I think is about £80 an hour. That's almost what I pay my solicitor! There was some other thing with the steering, and some niggles with the wheels.

I suppose it's a good car really, and these repairs haven't broken the bank. In the meantime I've been paying so much less on insurance as well (about £250 a year fully comp).