2012 Audi A7 — MOT failures & pass rate
7,597 MOT tests on the 2012 Audi A7 are in this dataset, and 86.6% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (18.3% fail rate), the 2012 A7 comes out 4.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.5%) and suspension (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 377 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 13.5% in the 150k+ band, a 7.8-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 497 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.3% | 329 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 267 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 145 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 126 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 101 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 377 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 231 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 178 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 122 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 92 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 89 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.0% | 1,901 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 1,244 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.4% | 1,017 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 516 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.5% | 494 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 347 |
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 | 53 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 480 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,816 | 13.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,591 | 13.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,749 | 13.7% |
| 150k+ | 907 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,217 | 13.4% |
| Petrol | 380 | 13.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,658 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 1,613 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 1,540 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 1,441 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 1,345 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 A7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.5% 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.
- Suspension (4.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2012 Audi A7s pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 7,597 2012 Audi A7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Audi A7?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by suspension (4.3%).
Does the 2012 A7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,597 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.