2010 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,805 MOT tests on the 2010 Audi Q7 are in this dataset, and 84.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 20.5% of the time, so this is 4.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.3%) and lighting & signalling (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, ball joint and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 325 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 0.0% in the 0-30k band and 18.9% in the 150k+ band, a 18.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 554 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 548 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.7% | 413 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 288 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 277 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 217 |
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 | 325 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 230 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 184 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 173 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 171 |
| 6 | Washers | 152 |
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 | 26.7% | 2,347 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.5% | 1,719 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 1,442 |
| 4 | Suspension | 14.8% | 1,303 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.1% | 885 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 762 |
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 | 30 | 0.0% |
| 30-60k | 234 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,521 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,304 | 15.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,540 | 16.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,172 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,691 | 15.7% |
| Petrol | 114 | 15.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,853 | 14.7% |
| 2022 | 1,883 | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 1,801 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 1,726 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 1,542 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Q7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.7% 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.
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 2010 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
84.3% of the 8,805 2010 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Audi Q7?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.2%).
Does the 2010 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 0.0% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,805 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.