Executive car · 2008–2021 cars

Audi A7 reliability

The Audi A7 fails 13.9% of first MOT tests, 48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 65,192 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 93/100#9 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Audi A7 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 13.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 48% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 65,192; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,000; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi A7 ages

Each point is the share of Audi A7s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi A7All cars

Audi A7 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi A7	All cars
3	10.3%	12.3%
4	9.6%	14.1%
5	11%	16.4%
6	12.9%	19.1%
7	13.9%	22.1%
8	14.5%	25.5%
9	15.8%	28.8%
10	16.2%	31.8%
11	16.2%	34.6%
12	16.6%	37.3%
13	17%	39.5%

By year

The best and worst Audi A7 years

2011 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi A7 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	481	8.9%	32% fewer fails	32,196
2020 A7	1,688	8.6%	35% fewer fails	32,861
2019 A7	5,130	9.8%	37% fewer fails	41,740
2018 A7	5,864	10.1%	40% fewer fails	46,687
2017 A7	6,475	12.3%	37% fewer fails	55,864
2016 A7	9,298	14%	39% fewer fails	66,682
2015 A7	8,231	13.9%	47% fewer fails	74,748
2014 A7	7,713	14.7%	51% fewer fails	83,856
2013 A7	7,837	16%	52% fewer fails	96,237
2012 A7	5,353	16.8%	54% fewer fails	107,808
2011 A7	6,573	17.7%	55% fewer fails	111,570
2010	547	16.6%	59% fewer fails	114,638

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi A7

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres6.8%1% above avg
Suspension2.3%70% below avg
Lights and electrics2.2%77% below avg
Brakes1.6%73% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.4%67% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.2%52% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.6%73% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.6%71% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%32% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.91% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.26% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.26% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.73% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
5
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.67% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
6
Tyre tear from structural failure 0.61% of tests
A tear in the tyre's structure means it can fail suddenly, so it must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.58% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
8
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.54% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A7's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit11%
Brake pads wearing thin4.77%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.37%
Brake disc pitted or scored2.89%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.01%
Tyre has a shallow cut1.91%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi A7

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi A7 covers about 10,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel88.8%
Petrol10.5%
Hybrid0.7%

Most common colours

Grey, Black, White, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 3.0 litres.

Compare

How the Audi A7 compares with its rivals

Audi A7 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW M3	12.5%	62% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A7	13.9%	48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 6 Series	18.6%	40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW M4	10.5%	39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz CLS	24%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo S60	29%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar S-Type	37.2%	10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi A7 questions, answered

Is the Audi A7 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi A7 is better than average: it fails 13.9% of first MOT tests, 48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 9 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi A7 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A7 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.91% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.26% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.26% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.8% of its tests.

Which Audi A7 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi A7 do a year?

A typical Audi A7 covers about 10,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi A7 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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