2006 Audi Q7 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Audi Q7 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Audi Q7 diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Seat belts2.9× usual
  Audi Q7

  4.7% All 2006 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

• Sub-frame bushes5.8× usual
  Audi Q7

  3.5% All 2006 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm1.7× usual
  Audi Q7

  5.4% All 2006 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2006 Audi Q7 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Audi Q7 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  32% 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
  30% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  19% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2006 Audi Q7 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Fast front tyre wear

  All engines

  Owners report front tyres lasting under 7,000 miles, with the outer edges wearing fastest.

  At the viewing: Check the front tyres, especially the outer edges, and ask how often they've been replaced.

  Source: What Car?: Audi Q7 (2006-2015) reliability

• Powered tailgate recall

  All engines

  A 2007 recall covered a fault with the electric tailgate.

  At the viewing: Open and close the tailgate several times, and run the free DVSA recall check.

  Source: What Car?: Audi Q7 (2006-2015) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Audi Q7 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2006 Audi Q7 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2006 Audi Q7 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2006 Audi Q7 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?