Used car guide

2018 Audi A7: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Audi A7s, from 1,387 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,387MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
9,100typical miles a year
41×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Audi A7s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Coil springs41× usual
    Audi A7
    4.1% All 2018 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2018 Audi A7 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    13% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    9% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021685Tyres 28%
2020636Tyres 25%
20191,445Tyres 24%
20171,627Tyres 25%
20162,325Tyres 25%
20151,982Tyres 26%
20141,845Tyres 30%
20131,833Tyres 31%
20121,183Tyres 28%
20111,418Tyres 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Audi A7s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score