2020 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,265 MOT tests, the 2020 Audi Q7 recorded a 91.3% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 9.3%, so the 2020 Q7 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.0% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 336 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Q7 fails 7.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.6pp more often than hybrid ones (8.8% vs 7.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 739 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 171 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.0% | 122 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 111 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 106 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 75 |
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 | 336 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 170 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 119 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 97 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 88 |
| 6 | Washers | 61 |
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 | 20.3% | 2,491 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.4% | 1,644 |
| 3 | Other defects | 11.1% | 1,366 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 479 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 280 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 124 |
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 | 3,950 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 6,809 | 9.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,337 | 9.3% |
| 90-120k | 147 | 9.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10,131 | 8.8% |
| Petrol | 1,468 | 8.4% |
| Hybrid | 666 | 7.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 194 | 6.7% |
| 2023 | 4,169 | 9.4% |
| 2024 | 4,018 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 3,862 | 8.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Q7
On a 2020 Q7, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.0% 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 2020 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 12,265 2020 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi Q7?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2020 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,265 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.