2006 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
7,978 MOT tests on the 2006 Audi Q7 are in this dataset, and 82.5% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 6.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.2%) and brakes (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, position lamp and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 322 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 30-60k band and 17.4% in the 150k+ band, a 10.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 810 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.7% | 617 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.0% | 480 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 324 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.0% | 318 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 199 |
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 | 322 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 318 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 276 |
| 4 | Washers | 191 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 176 |
| 6 | Wipers | 172 |
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 | 27.4% | 2,188 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.6% | 2,121 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.4% | 1,710 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 1,297 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 1,017 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.2% | 811 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 75 | 6.7% |
| 60-90k | 502 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,696 | 16.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,924 | 18.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,775 | 17.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,597 | 17.6% |
| Petrol | 381 | 15.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,071 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 1,882 | 16.7% |
| 2023 | 1,652 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 1,279 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 1,094 | 17.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Q7
On a 2006 Q7, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.7% 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.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 2006 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 7,978 2006 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Audi Q7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by brakes (7.7%).
Does the 2006 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 30-60k band to 17.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,978 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.