Audi A7 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi A7 car check
Is the Audi A7 reliable? We analysed 171,917 real MOT tests across 20,558 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi A7? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi A7 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi A7.
Audi A7 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi A7. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi A7 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi A7 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi A7 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi A7 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi A7 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Audi A7 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Audi A7 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi A7 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi A7 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi A7 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 190 | 86.8% | 22,889 | 29,911 | 38,506 |
| 2021 | 997 | 89.6% | 25,798 | 35,572 | 45,628 |
| 2020 | 1,332 | 89.1% | 25,218 | 35,580 | 47,679 |
| 2019 | 7,319 | 89.4% | 28,344 | 41,641 | 58,210 |
| 2018 | 8,751 | 89.4% | 30,866 | 45,321 | 63,058 |
| 2017 | 12,924 | 88.8% | 34,707 | 50,499 | 69,563 |
| 2016 | 21,134 | 87.0% | 38,439 | 55,965 | 77,204 |
| 2015 | 20,814 | 87.3% | 41,635 | 60,763 | 84,639 |
| 2014 | 22,477 | 86.2% | 44,987 | 66,361 | 91,080 |
| 2013 | 25,543 | 85.2% | 49,029 | 73,164 | 100,455 |
| 2012 | 19,880 | 86.2% | 53,970 | 81,155 | 110,704 |
| 2011 | 27,125 | 85.9% | 54,948 | 82,593 | 112,332 |
| 2010 | 2,322 | 85.9% | 54,717 | 83,807 | 113,178 |
How Long Does a Audi A7 Last?
Based on 20,558 Audi A7 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi A7 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi A7 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi A7
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.6% MOT pass rate from 997 tests
85.2% MOT pass rate from 25,543 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi A7 is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.6% across 997 tests. The 2013 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi A7 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A7 THIS CAR | 86.8% | 171,917 | 64,173 mi | 16 yrs |
| Audi A3 | 78% | 7,415,025 | 78,776 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A4 | 76.1% | 7,096,957 | 96,834 mi | 31 yrs |
| Audi A6 | 78.4% | 2,724,792 | 98,890 mi | 31 yrs |
| Ford Scorpio | 65.9% | 105,492 | 105,865 mi | 32 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi A7 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi A7 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi A7Should you buy a used Audi A7?
The Audi A7 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.8% across 171,917 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Audi A7 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,049 recorded failures), tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (482), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (461). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Audi A7 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Audi A7 owner drives around 7,773 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Audi A7 models stay on UK roads for around 16 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.