What are the most common problems with a 2020 Audi A7 diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is coil springs: flagged on 5% of tests, 50× the rate for all 2020 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2020 Audi A7 diesel?

Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 50× as often on the 2020 Audi A7 diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2020 Audi A7 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Audi A7 first registered in 2020 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 1,152 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,152MOTs of 2020 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

87%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)

9,400typical miles a year

50×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Audi A7 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Audi A7 diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.

Coil springs50× usual

Audi A7
5% All 2020 cars
0.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Common 2020 Audi A7 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Audi A7 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

28% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

12% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Suspension

7% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

4% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Lights and electrics

2% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Seats and seatbelts

1% of testsRough price £80–£250

At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Audi A7 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 50× as often on the 2020 Audi A7 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Audi A7?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Audi A7 compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	–	Too new for MOT data
2022	490	Tyres 26%
2021	1,389	Tyres 27%
2019	4,338	Tyres 24%
2018	4,160	Tyres 24%
2017	4,930	Tyres 26%
2016	7,045	Tyres 27%
2015	6,021	Tyres 25%
2014	5,709	Tyres 29%
2013	5,686	Tyres 29%
2012	3,793	Tyres 29%
2011	4,619	Tyres 31%
2010	358	Suspension 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Audi A7 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score