2007 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 108,951 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Audi A4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.5% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (76.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.3% in the 150k+ group versus 11.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 13,954 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 11,120 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 7,890 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.9% | 7,486 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 5,501 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 5,219 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 8,191 |
| 2 | Joints | 4,674 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 4,523 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 4,496 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 4,171 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 3,792 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.8% | 38,951 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 31,200 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.6% | 31,184 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 13,928 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 13,821 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 11,746 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 448 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,219 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 12,980 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 26,217 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 30,508 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 35,473 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 75,645 | 24.0% |
| Petrol | 33,300 | 22.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,221 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 25,094 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 22,292 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 18,917 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 15,427 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 A4
Before buying a 2007 Audi A4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 108,951 2007 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by suspension (10.2%).
Does the 2007 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 108,951 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.