2018 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 27,206 MOT tests, the 2018 Audi Q7 recorded an 88.4% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (10.3% fail rate), the 2018 Q7 comes out 1.3pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests against 2.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, coil spring and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 801 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.5% in the 0-30k band and 14.5% in the 150k+ band, a 5.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 1,729 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.9% | 791 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 382 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 340 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 299 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.7% | 202 |
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 | 801 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 687 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 380 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 313 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 204 |
| 6 | Wipers | 203 |
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 | 20.6% | 5,594 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.9% | 4,050 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.3% | 3,061 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.9% | 1,604 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,155 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 268 |
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 | 5,345 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 13,631 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 6,516 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,417 | 14.0% |
| 120-150k | 234 | 11.5% |
| 150k+ | 62 | 14.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,740 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 5,404 | 10.2% |
| 2023 | 5,400 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 5,402 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 5,260 | 11.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Q7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 (2.9% 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 (1.4% 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 2018 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
88.4% of the 27,206 2018 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Audi Q7?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by suspension (2.9%).
Does the 2018 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 14.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 27,206 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.