2015 Audi A7 — MOT failures & pass rate
11,460 MOT tests on the 2015 Audi A7 are in this dataset, and 88.6% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (14.0% fail rate), the 2015 A7 comes out 2.7pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.0% of all tests — 5.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, pins and bushes and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 316 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 14.0% in the 150k+ band, a 5.1-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 10.4% of the time against 11.5% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.0% | 807 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.8% | 212 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.5% | 167 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 150 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 147 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.0% | 111 |
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 | 316 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 153 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 136 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 122 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 114 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 107 |
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 | 20.8% | 2,382 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 1,377 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 1,087 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.0% | 686 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 467 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 168 |
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 | 347 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,289 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,501 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,381 | 12.1% |
| 120-150k | 733 | 13.0% |
| 150k+ | 207 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,987 | 11.5% |
| Petrol | 1,473 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,349 | 10.2% |
| 2022 | 2,349 | 11.6% |
| 2023 | 2,308 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 2,245 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 2,209 | 11.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 A7
On a 2015 A7, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Suspension (1.8% 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 (1.5% 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 2015 Audi A7s pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 11,460 2015 Audi A7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Audi A7?
Tyres, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by suspension (1.8%).
Does the 2015 A7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,460 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.