When the Audi A2 arrived in 2000, it was considered a pioneer of the fast-changing automotive landscape.
The lightweight car was one of the first true ‘crossover’ models, combining compact hatchback dimensions with MPV-style features – as well as a number of quirky touches that set it apart from every other motor on the road at the time.
As such, it has gone on to earn modern classic status. Back in 2019, we even earmarked it as one of ten motors you could buy for less than £1,000 that would almost certainly rise in value in the future.
So, when we stumbled across this 2003 example for sale for just £300, it looked like a real bargain.
Despite its relatively high mileage – in excess of 100,000 miles – the Facebook Marketplace main image shows what looks to be a pretty tidy exterior with very little damage.
But wait until you see what’s inside….
This 2003 Audi A2 listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace for just £300 looks like it could be a real bargain. That’s until you see the state of the interior…
The cabin is covered in mould, with fungus growing on the steering wheel, driver’s seat and dashboard
The Audi, advertised in Stratford upon Avon, has a very nasty interior surprise: mould, and lots of it.
In a complete contrast to the photos of the outside, the front section of the cabin is ravaged by fungus.
This has likely been triggered by the car standing unused for months and suffering leaks that has left the interior exposed to Britain’s mixed weather, including fluctuating temperatures and plenty of moisture.
As such, mould spores have gathered and reproduced en masse, especially on the rim of the steering wheel, driver’s seat and dashboard.
The revolting level of mould has likely been triggered by the car standing unused for months and suffering leaks that has left the interior exposed to Britain’s mixed weather, including fluctuating temperatures and plenty of moisture
A quick check of its MOT history shows it was last assessed in January 2018 with the mileage at 102,244 – with zero advisories. It is declared SORN so has likely been parked up for over six years
The – extremely short – listing states the car ‘doesn’t run’ and ‘doesn’t drive’.
A quick check of its MOT background shows it was last assessed in January 2018 with the mileage at 102,244.
Its history, however, suggests it had been relatively well cared for until then.
It had three failed tests spanning a 12-year period, all of which were quickly followed by an MOT pass after repairs had been carried out.
In fact, the last MOT seven years ago shows no advisories whatsoever.
The Audi A2 is currently declared off the road as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), which likely has been the case since early 2019 and why it has fallen into such a state of disrepair.
It is listed as having three owners from new and a manual transmission.
The advert also says the ‘V5 has been misplaced’. This is the registration document that is required to register it to a new owner, suggesting the car will need to be broken down and sold for spares.
And the vendor clearly wants it removed as soon as possible, with the ad including the instruction: ‘Need gone asap’.
The mould inside, which has also affected the rear seating compartment, is so catastrophic that the interior would almost need to be fully stripped and replaced if a new keeper wanted to put it back on the road.
And not only will it look and feel disgusting, we imagine the dank, lingering smell will also be incredibly potent – and in the worst cases, could lead to health issues.
Long-term exposure can trigger allergies and rashes. It can also be dangerous for asthma sufferers as it typically causes wheezing and coughing.
Exposure to toxic black mould can be even more serious and has been linked to headaches, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or lungs, nausea and extended sensations of fatigue.
When the Audi A2 arrived in 2000, it considered a pioneer of the automotive landscape
The lightweight car combined compact dimensions with roomy MPV-style features, as well as a number of quirky touches that set it apart from every other motor on the road at the time
It’s fair to say the A2 is a car that arrived slightly ahead of its time when it hit the market at the turn of the Century. As a result, it wasn’t much of a sales hit when new, with sales ending after just five years in 2005, making it one of the shortest-lived models in UK showrooms of all time.
That’s made these cars relatively rare by today’s standards – and very good condition examples are now collectable motors.
DVLA records suggest that just 5,840 remain on the road in Britain today.
Its space-age looks and clever engineering has garnered a cult A2 following, especially among fans of Audi cars in particular.
The A2 is notable for its extremely aerodynamic body, all-aluminium ‘spaceframe’ construction and unique ‘service hatch’ behind the grille, which provides easy access to top up oil and window washer fluid.
The downside of the latter is that the bonnet hood has to be removed entirely to reach the engine itself, which can be a fiddly job to say the least.
The A2 is notable for its extremely aerodynamic body and all-aluminium ‘spaceframe’ construction
The A2 also debuted this unique ‘service hatch’ behind the grille, which provides easy access to top up oil and window washer fluid. The downside is that the bonnet hood has to be removed entirely to reach the engine itself
The A2 was sold in the UK from 2000 to 2005, making it one of the most short-lived cars in recent history
It was available with a range of mega-efficient powertrain. The 1.4 diesel could return up to 70 miles to the gallon. It’s now considered a modern classic, though just fewer than 6,000 remain on the road today
Speaking of powertrains, these are incredibly efficient. The 1.4 diesel could return up to 70 miles to the gallon.
The more powerful 1.6 FSi petrol engine – fitted to the mouldy car listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace – had a claimed fuel economy in the region of 50mpg.
In 2011, Audi hinted it might bring the A2 back with the unveiling of an A2 Concept. However, it was never reborn.
A good, low-mileage, example today costs around £4,000. Though we fear that this advertised car is more health hazard than collectable classic.
