Used buying checklist
Audi A7 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Audi A7 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 11.9% of 18,563 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 11.9% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 72,861 miles
- 2,210 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (5.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view, and provides insufficient washer liquid.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- leaking excessively from engine
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
- emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- corroded and seriously weakened
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure
The model's recorded failure rate is 11.9%, -6.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed18,563 tests
- Median tested mileage72,861 miles
- Failed MOT tests2,210
Should you buy a used Audi A7?
88.1% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 11.9%, -6.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Audi A7, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
The MOT failure rate rises from 10.9% at 0-3 years to 13.8% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Audi A7, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Audi A7 mainly involve 5 areas: mixed recall notices, emissions, engine, and exhaust, seatbelts and safety systems, and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Audi A7, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 4,615 | 4,056 | 9.9%-0.9 percentage points vs all models | 36,775 miles |
| 50-100k | 9,142 | 7,711 | 12.2%-8.6 percentage points vs all models | 72,577 miles |
| 100-150k | 3,976 | 3,370 | 13.7%-12.5 percentage points vs all models | 117,157 miles |
| 150-200k | 663 | 576 | 12.5%-14.8 percentage points vs all models | 163,082 miles |
| 200k+ | 79 | 63 | 19.0%-7.6 percentage points vs all models | 216,482 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Audi A7, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 10.9% at 0-3 years to 13.8% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 13.8% for 10-15 years cars, based on 4,814 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
283 | 255 | 10.9%+2.5 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
4,331 | 3,762 | 9.7%-0.9 percentage points vs all models | 4.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
9,135 | 7,758 | 12.0%-4.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
4,814 | 4,056 | 13.8%-9.8 percentage points vs all models | 11.2 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-10-24 | Software update for battery control unit On affected vehicles there may be defective battery modules which may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery. Update the software of the high-voltage battery to improve the self-diagnosis capabilities. Vehicle owners are advised to not charge the high-voltage battery using external charging sources and also not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” until the update is applied. |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-27 | On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat. On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat. Replace the side airbag and bracket. |
| 2023-01-20 | The fuel gauge may not show the drop in fuel level correctly during vehicle operation The fuel gauge may not show the drop in fuel level correctly during vehicle operation. The tank level sender must be replaced on the affected vehicles. |
| 2022-06-10 | ENGINE CONTROL UNITS MIGHT BE FITTED WITH SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS On a small number of vehicles manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the engine control units were fitted with semiconductor components which do not meet the specifications. The engine control unit must be replaced on the affected vehicles. |
| 2022-05-04 | THE MESH SIZE OF THE OIL STRAINER IN THE OIL SUPPLY FOR BOTH TURBOCHARGERS IS TOO SMALL The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small. The oil strainer will be replaced with a revised version with a larger mesh size. |
| 2021-06-07 | VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH A HINGED TOWING BRACKET ON WHICH THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE HINGE MODULE COULD BE FAULTY Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty. The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Audi A7. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Audi reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.