2008 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
13,766 MOT tests on the 2008 Audi Q7 are in this dataset, and 81.5% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 22.7% of the time, so this is 4.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.7% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, tread depth and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 621 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 18.5% versus 14.2%.
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 | 10.7% | 1,476 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.8% | 936 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.1% | 845 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.7% | 651 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 573 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 499 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 621 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 561 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 504 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 466 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 404 |
| 6 | Washers | 341 |
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% | 3,766 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 3,244 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.4% | 3,086 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 2,116 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 2,114 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 1,382 |
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 | 113 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,129 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,982 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 5,057 | 19.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,472 | 18.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,605 | 18.5% |
| Petrol | 161 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,272 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 3,090 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 2,788 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 2,480 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 2,136 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Q7
On a 2008 Q7, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.8% 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 (6.1% 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 2008 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 13,766 2008 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Audi Q7?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by brakes (6.8%).
Does the 2008 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 30-60k band to 18.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,766 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.