Diesel Audi A7: MOT pass rate

85.7% of diesel Audi A7s pass the MOT first time, measured across 14,726 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 86,033.

Diesel against the other Audi A7 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Audi A7 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 90.1%, and this diesel version sits 0.4 points below the 86.1% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Audi A7 had covered 86,033 miles at test, against 59,589 for the petrol. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Audi A7 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Audi A7

1. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.5% of tests (2.89x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator, 0.5% of tests (2.51x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 4% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.4% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 2.5% of tests
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 1.1% of tests
8. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.1% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1% of tests
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 0.8% of tests

From 14,806 DVSA-tracked diesel Audi A7 tests, 2024, split out from the Audi A7's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 8.66% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Audi A7

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 29.1% of tests, also fails
2. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 12.8% of tests, also fails
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 8.7% of tests, also fails
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 8.3% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6.6% of tests
6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.4% of tests
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 3% of tests
8. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2% of tests
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 1.8% of tests, also fails
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1.5% of tests

From 14,806 DVSA-tracked diesel Audi A7 tests, 2024.

Other Audi A7 fuel types

• Petrol Audi A7 - 90.1%

All Audi A7 MOT data · Every model