Used car guide · 2006–2026

Audi Q7 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Audi Q7, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 145,576 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

145,576MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
59,575on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with an Audi Q7?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Fast front tyre wear

    Cars registered 2006–2015 · All engines

    Owners report front tyres lasting under 7,000 miles, with the outer edges wearing fastest.

    At the viewing: Check the front tyres, especially the outer edges, and ask how often they've been replaced.

    Source: What Car?: Audi Q7 (2006-2015) reliability

  • Below-par reliability

    Cars registered 2016–2025 · All engines

    The Q7 scored just 74% in What Car?'s reliability survey, and parts are expensive.

    At the viewing: Get a full inspection, test every electrical item and check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi Q7 (2015 on) review

  • Powered tailgate recall

    Cars registered 2006–2015 · All engines

    A 2007 recall covered a fault with the electric tailgate.

    At the viewing: Open and close the tailgate several times, and run the free DVSA recall check.

    Source: What Car?: Audi Q7 (2006-2015) reliability

Common Audi Q7 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Nail or damage in a tyre

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Diesel

  • Number plates

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Windscreen

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Audi Q7 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Audi Q7 did best (81% passed first time, 17 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2022 did worst (90%, 1 point above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202394%92% +2112 (small sample)
202290%89% +13,359
202189%87% +26,316
202089%87% +211,030
201988%85% +313,370
201885%83% +214,131
201782%80% +215,665
201681%77% +414,354
201583%74% +99,528
201483%70% +139,529
201382%67% +159,452
201281%64% +176,892
201179%62% +175,278
201077%60% +174,385
200974%59% +153,638
200871%57% +146,308
200772%57% +158,767
200672%56% +163,462

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Audi Q7

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. What has gone wrong and been fixed, and is there a full history?
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Audi Q7 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Audi Q7 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 6.4× as often on the Audi Q7 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Audi Q7?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score