Audi A7: what fails at MOT
34,000 MOT tests on the Audi A7 in 2024, counted. 12.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
12.4% of Audi A7 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.4%, so the A7 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.4% of tests), suspension (1.4% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,370 | 8.8% | 10.9% | 29,000 22,000 to 38,900 |
| 2020 | 1,497 | 7.6% | 11.5% | 33,200 24,300 to 43,600 |
| 2019 | 3,118 | 7.8% | 13.4% | 46,500 35,100 to 60,300 |
| 2018 | 3,027 | 9.9% | 15.6% | 53,300 41,600 to 69,400 |
| 2017 | 3,135 | 12.7% | 18.2% | 62,300 49,700 to 75,900 |
| 2016 | 4,485 | 13.5% | 21.3% | 72,400 58,500 to 90,200 |
| 2015 | 4,073 | 12.8% | 24.4% | 80,200 63,500 to 99,900 |
| 2014 | 3,762 | 13.5% | 27.7% | 88,600 72,700 to 110,600 |
| 2013 | 3,866 | 13.0% | 30.6% | 103,200 82,500 to 121,800 |
| 2012 | 2,593 | 15.6% | 33.4% | 112,000 93,300 to 134,800 |
| 2011 | 3,166 | 15.7% | 36.1% | 115,800 92,400 to 136,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Audi A7 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | A7 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.4% | 4.1% |
| Suspension Less than most | 1.4% | 4.7% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.2% | 5.7% |
| Brakes Less than most | 0.8% | 3.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.7% | 1.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 0.6% | 2.6% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.4% | 1.5% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.4%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Engine warning light0.6%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.6%
- Brake pads0.5%
- Coil spring0.4%
- Washers0.3%
- Wipers0.3%
- Number plates0.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.5%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.3%
- Tyre: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Audi A7's own MOT record
Looking at a A7? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.