2007 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 40,753 MOT tests, the 2007 Audi A6 recorded a 78.9% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (23.1% fail rate), the 2007 A6 comes out 2.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.9% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,906 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 A6 fails 19.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 20.2% of the time against 21.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 5,241 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 3,764 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.0% | 2,853 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 1,844 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 1,591 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 1,399 |
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 | 2,906 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,772 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,585 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,468 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,462 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 1,423 |
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 | 34.2% | 13,922 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.2% | 12,301 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.8% | 10,100 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 7,330 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 4,910 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.5% | 4,265 |
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 | 51 | 19.6% |
| 30-60k | 393 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,977 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,914 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 10,321 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 22,084 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 37,571 | 21.2% |
| Petrol | 3,182 | 20.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,701 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 9,588 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 8,287 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 6,761 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 5,416 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 A6
On a 2007 A6, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Tyres (7.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 A6s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 40,753 2007 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Audi A6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2007 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 40,753 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.