Audi A7 MOT pass rate and common problems
89.7% of 36,717 Audi A7 MOT tests pass.
The A7 passes its MOT 89.7% of the time — well above the average across all Audi models, which sits at 84.5%.
The Audi A7 passes its MOT 89.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi A7?
This is the average across every Audi A7 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 92.2% at 0–3 years to 87.8% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.2% | 781 | 30,267 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.9% | 7,313 | 47,808 miles |
| 6–10 years | 89.7% | 16,351 | 75,971 miles |
| 10–15 years | 87.8% | 12,272 | 108,746 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi A7
The most common reason the Audi A7 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 52.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 52.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 21.6% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.4% | Too low |
| Brakes | 11.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 10.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Identification of the vehicle | 5.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 2.9% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Audi A7: what to check
These checks follow the Audi A7’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi A7 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 92.9% to 89.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 94.1% down to 91.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 52.6% of failed Audi A7 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 21.6% of failed Audi A7 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 20.4% of failed Audi A7 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 11.9% of failed Audi A7 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.1% of failed Audi A7 MOTs. 1.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi Q5 — 88.8% pass rate
- Audi Q2 — 93.3% pass rate
- Audi Q7 — 87.9% pass rate
- Audi E-Tron — 92.7% pass rate
- Audi A8 — 91.4% pass rate
- Audi S3 — 90.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A7?
- 89.7% of Audi A7 MOT tests pass, based on 36,717 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi A7?
- The most common reason the Audi A7 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 52.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Audi A7?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi A7 are tyres; suspension; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi A7?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi A7's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.