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Audi Q7 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Audi Q7 car check

Is the Audi Q7 reliable? We analysed 556,904 real MOT tests across 56,360 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 556,904 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.0%
Typical Mileage
73,148mi
Annual Mileage
7,889mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Audi Q7 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 Q7.

Audi Q7 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Audi Q7. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Audi Q7 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Audi Q7 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89%
2023
91.3%
2022
91.7%
2021
91.5%
2020
89.3%
2019
87.2%
2018
87%
2017
86%
2016
87%
2015
86.6%
2014
86.3%
2013
85.4%
2012
84.8%
2011
83.2%
2010
80.1%
2009
79.7%
2008
80.8%
2007
81.5%
2006

Audi Q7 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Audi Q7 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,208
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 2,166
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,137
Registration plate lamp not working 1,958

Audi Q7 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Audi Q7 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 9,607

Audi Q7 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Audi Q7 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
5,149 mi/yr
Typical
7,889 mi/yr
Average
8,969 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,271 mi/yr

Audi Q7 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi Q7 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2023 173 89.0% 20,634 29,676 40,089
2022 749 91.3% 21,707 29,440 41,200
2021 551 91.7% 23,398 31,740 42,324
2020 355 91.5% 25,732 36,217 50,882
2019 20,460 89.3% 29,869 42,277 57,547
2018 30,873 87.2% 33,744 48,566 66,461
2017 42,091 87.0% 37,541 54,026 74,056
2016 43,515 86.0% 40,836 58,789 80,211
2015 32,234 87.0% 43,163 62,798 85,347
2014 36,892 86.6% 46,112 67,460 91,050
2013 41,882 86.3% 49,549 72,614 97,180
2012 33,446 85.4% 52,106 76,748 102,596
2011 28,832 84.8% 53,607 79,433 106,840
2010 27,110 83.2% 56,292 84,262 112,512
2009 26,600 80.1% 58,844 88,535 119,834
2008 56,167 79.7% 61,954 92,313 123,442
2007 89,134 80.8% 64,328 95,480 127,792
2006 42,554 81.5% 64,352 96,062 128,824

How Long Does a Audi Q7 Last?

Based on 56,360 Audi Q7 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.2 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Audi Q7 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Audi Q7 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
73,148 mi
75th Percentile
104,435 mi
95th Percentile
153,664 mi
Max Recorded
993,331 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Audi Q7

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2021

91.7% MOT pass rate from 551 tests

Year to avoid
2008

79.7% MOT pass rate from 56,167 tests

The best year to buy a used Audi Q7 is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.7% across 551 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Audi Q7 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Audi Q7 THIS CAR 84.0% 556,904 73,148 mi 20 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
Citroen Ax 62.4% 349,985 76,919 mi 37 yrs

Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi Q7 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Audi Q7 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.

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Should you buy a used Audi Q7?

The Audi Q7 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.0% across 556,904 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 Q7 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (6,208 recorded failures), tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2,166), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (2,137). 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 Q7 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 Q7 owner drives around 7,889 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 Q7 models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.

Audi Q7 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Audi Q7 reliable?
Based on 556,904 MOT tests, the Audi Q7 has a 84.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Audi Q7?
The most common MOT failures are 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. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Audi Q7 do per year?
The typical Audi Q7 does around 7,889 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Audi Q7 last?
Most Audi Q7 models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 56,360 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Audi Q7?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Audi Q7?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Audi Q7 is 2021 with a 91.7% pass rate across 551 tests.