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Audi A7 reliability by build year

Coverage 2010-present2 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Audi A7 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi A7 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check an Audi A7 by number plate

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on Audi A7 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi A7 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Audi A7's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your A7's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

4

4K (2018-present)

Excellent
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

11.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,642 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A7 4G

4G (2010-2017)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

13.2% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 1,209 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Audi A7.

See every build year for the Audi A7

Side-by-side

Audi A7 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
4K (2018-present)
Excellent
Excellent11.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,642 MOT tests at this age
4G (2010-2017)
Excellent
Excellent13.2%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 1,209 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the A7, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Audi A7 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Audi A7 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
59310.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
8219.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,0379.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,69410.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,64211.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,26313.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,53213.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,27313.7%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,17016.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,79615.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,74317.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
95017.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Audi A7 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Audi models

4th of 12

4th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

5th of 84

5th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

11.6%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Audi A7 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Audi A7 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.8%
    Advisory: 375Fail: 54 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.1%
    Advisory: 117Fail: 51 (30% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.9%
    Advisory: 132Fail: 10 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    5.5%
    Advisory: 147Fail: 4 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.5%
    Advisory: 75Fail: 41 (35% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,642 MOT tests on 7-year-old Audi A7 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Audi A7 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres33%
  2. Suspension + Tyres20%
  3. Other + Tyres13%
  4. Brakes + Suspension13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 298 MOT tests on Audi A7 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

84%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

14 recalls in all

All 14 Audi A7 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • Software update for battery control unit
  • On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat.
  • The fuel gauge may not show the drop in fuel level correctly during vehicle operation

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    More still registered at 10 years: 96%, against 84% for the Audi A7.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Audi A7 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Audi A7 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Audi A7 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A7 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,642 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Audi A7 ever sold: 19,514 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,642 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.