2013 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
18,240 MOT tests on the 2013 Audi Q7 are in this dataset, and 87.5% of them passed. That is 3.9 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 16.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.3%) and lighting & signalling (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 446 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.5% in the 0-30k band and 16.3% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,141 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 766 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 625 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 440 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.9% | 165 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 163 |
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 | 446 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 340 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 305 |
| 4 | Wipers | 286 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 227 |
| 6 | Washers | 209 |
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 | 25.2% | 4,592 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.3% | 2,789 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 2,294 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.3% | 1,698 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.8% | 873 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 786 |
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 | 77 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,709 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 6,816 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,414 | 13.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,527 | 12.8% |
| 150k+ | 694 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 18,176 | 12.5% |
| Petrol | 64 | 14.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,742 | 11.9% |
| 2022 | 3,757 | 12.2% |
| 2023 | 3,643 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 3,608 | 13.2% |
| 2025 | 3,490 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Q7
On a 2013 Q7, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (4.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.4% 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 2013 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 18,240 2013 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Audi Q7?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.2%).
Does the 2013 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,240 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.