2015 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,271 MOT tests, the 2015 Audi Q7 recorded an 87.5% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 13.7% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.3%) and suspension (4.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and pins and bushes — coil spring alone was recorded 621 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 967 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.6% | 847 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.8% | 330 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 315 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 294 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 291 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 621 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 580 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 455 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 289 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 281 |
| 6 | Wipers | 219 |
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 | 20.7% | 3,781 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 2,625 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.4% | 1,909 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.4% | 1,712 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 695 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 435 |
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 | 362 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,739 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 7,788 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,013 | 12.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,108 | 12.4% |
| 150k+ | 260 | 14.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,739 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 3,676 | 11.9% |
| 2023 | 3,676 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 3,619 | 13.1% |
| 2025 | 3,561 | 12.6% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Q7
On a 2015 Q7, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.3% 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.
- Suspension (4.6% 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 (1.8% 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.
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 Q7s pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 18,271 2015 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Audi Q7?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.6%).
Does the 2015 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 14.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,271 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.