2016 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
27,898 MOT tests on the 2016 Audi Q7 are in this dataset, and 86.3% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 12.5% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.8%) and tyres (4.8%) 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 1,602 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 Q7 fails 8.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 12.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.8% | 1,891 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,348 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 462 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 459 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.6% | 442 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 394 |
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 | 1,602 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 840 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 742 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 454 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 425 |
| 6 | Wipers | 401 |
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 | 20.0% | 5,581 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 3,914 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.0% | 3,063 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.6% | 2,960 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 1,055 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 323 |
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 | 1,081 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 9,967 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 11,134 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 4,336 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,103 | 14.1% |
| 150k+ | 275 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,815 | 13.7% |
| Petrol | 62 | 12.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,622 | 12.0% |
| 2022 | 5,587 | 12.5% |
| 2023 | 5,679 | 15.3% |
| 2024 | 5,564 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 5,446 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Q7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.8% 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.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (1.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2016 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 27,898 2016 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Audi Q7?
Suspension, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by tyres (4.8%).
Does the 2016 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 27,898 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.