MOT performance
Audi Q7 4L (2006–2015): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 41,801 MOT tests on the Audi Q7 4L in 2023–2024 (cars first registered May 2006–Jun 2015, on average 12.3 years old at test), 78.1% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the 4L failed 43% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the 4M, it fails 27% less often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.57× vs 0.79×).
41,801 MOT tests on 22,248 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 78.1% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 41,801 |
| All Audi Q7s | 82.0% | n = 98,173 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.57× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Audi Q7 overall 0.65× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.1% | n = 41,801 |
| Average age at test | 12.3 years | n = 41,801 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2006–2015 | Mar 2006 to Aug 2015 |
4L against the other Audi Q7 generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L (2006–2015) | 41,801 | 12.3 yrs | 78.1% | -43% | 8.1% |
| 4M (2015 on) | 52,513 | 4.8 yrs | 85.1% | -21% | 5.1% |
Where the 4L differs
- Suspension: the 4L failed 60% less often than the Audi Q7 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.19× vs 0.47×).
- Road wheels: the 4L failed 28% more often than the Audi Q7 overall, relative to comparable cars (1.44× vs 1.13×).
| Area | 4L (vs similar) | 4M (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.7% (-53%) | 1.4% (-73%) |
| Tyres | 7.1% (-11%) | 6.6% (+9%) |
| Brakes | 6.0% (-42%) | 1.6% (-59%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.6% (-35%) | 1.4% (-58%) |
| Suspension | 2.8% (-81%) | 4.5% (+49%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.3% (-44%) | 1.2% (-26%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.6% (-72%) | 0.2% (-80%) |
| Steering | 1.4% (-60%) | 0.1% (-88%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.9% (-44%) | 0.3% (-29%) |
| Road wheels | 0.9% (+44%) | 0.2% (-33%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% (+13%) | 0.7% (+145%) |
Most common Audi Q7 4L failure items
1 of these 5 items is not among the Audi Q7's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.65% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.86% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.56% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.54% |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.29% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | 4L pass rate (tests) | 4M pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 88.7% (17,365) |
| 5-6 | — | 83.2% (19,140) |
| 7-8 | 85.7% (2,858) | 80.8% (10,325) |
| 9-10 | 83.0% (11,631) | — |
| 11-12 | 80.9% (8,555) | — |
| 13-15 | 73.6% (10,600) | — |
| 16+ | 71.5% (8,157) | — |
Registration years in the 4L
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,490 | 71.4% |
| 2007 | 6,274 | 71.7% |
| 2008 | 4,458 | 71.2% |
| 2009 | 2,513 | 74.5% |
| 2010 | 3,032 | 76.9% |
| 2011 | 3,612 | 79.5% |
| 2012 | 4,691 | 81.6% |
| 2013 | 6,407 | 82.7% |
| 2014 | 6,456 | 83.7% |
| 2015 | 1,868 | 85.7% |
Year pages cover every Audi Q7 registered that year, including any of another generation.
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the 4L (Mar 2006 to Aug 2015). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Audi Q7 4L
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.