2021 Audi Q7 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,967 MOT tests on the 2021 Audi Q7 are in this dataset, and 91.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (8.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests against 1.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 152 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.6% versus 8.1%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.7% of the time against 8.8% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 430 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 103 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.1% | 80 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 70 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 50 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 38 |
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 | 152 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 110 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 67 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 58 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 44 |
| 6 | Washers | 38 |
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 | 18.7% | 1,301 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 852 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.9% | 757 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 273 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 75 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 68 |
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 | 2,458 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,895 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 548 | 10.8% |
| 90-120k | 59 | 13.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,472 | 8.8% |
| Petrol | 1,582 | 8.7% |
| Hybrid | 913 | 8.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 137 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 3,412 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 3,388 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q7
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.2% 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 (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.1% 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 2021 Audi Q7s pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 6,967 2021 Audi Q7 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q7?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.5%).
Does the 2021 Q7 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 13.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,967 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.