2007 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
108,967 MOT tests on the 2007 Audi A4 are in this dataset, and 76.5% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 23.1%, so the 2007 A4 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.8%) and suspension (10.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and ball joint dust cover — headlamp aim alone was recorded 8,193 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.3% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.5pp more often than petrol ones (24.0% vs 22.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 13,957 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 11,123 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 7,891 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.9% | 7,488 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 5,501 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 5,220 |
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 | 8,193 |
| 2 | Joints | 4,674 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 4,528 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 4,496 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 4,172 |
| 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% | 38,960 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.6% | 31,204 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.6% | 31,188 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 13,929 |
| 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 | 12,983 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 26,223 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 30,515 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 35,473 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 75,652 | 24.0% |
| Petrol | 33,309 | 22.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,222 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 25,097 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 22,297 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 18,920 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 15,431 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 A4
On a 2007 A4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 108,967 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 108,967 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.