2018 Audi Q7 3.0L Diesel · Y20 FAM

A recurring pattern of brake-related advisories is the defining mechanical theme across the MOT history of this 2018 Audi Q7, with each of the last three annual tests flagging components within the braking system. The most recent test on 25 August 2026 recorded a pass alongside four advisories, three of which concerned tyres worn close to the legal limit on the nearside front, offside front, and nearside rear positions, together with continued front brake disc pitting and scoring noted for the second consecutive year. The 2025 test carried the same front disc advisory, and in 2024 the rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin. The absence of any recorded failures and the consistent annual testing cadence suggest a stable but progressive wear pattern rather than acute deterioration, though the repetition of disc wear warrants closer inspection. A 2022 test with no advisories recorded provides a useful baseline, indicating the brake and tyre issues are a relatively recent development consistent with accumulating mileage. The recorded mileage of 76,164 miles over approximately eight years equates to an average of around 9,500 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a large premium SUV of this age and not suggestive of unusually light or heavy use. The annual MOT entries do not reveal any extended gaps in testing, with a test recorded every year from 2022 through 2026, and the mileage progression implied by the consistent annual attendance is consistent with regular daily driving. There is no evidence of a multi-year lay-up that might raise concerns about seized brakes, perished seals, or degraded fluids. For a vehicle of this size and weight, the accumulated mileage is well within the expected operating range and does not, on its own, flag any unusual mechanical concern beyond normal consumable wear. The 2024 advisory on rear brake pad wear and the repeated 2025 and 2026 advisories on front disc condition together indicate that the braking system has been working through its service life in a manner typical for a heavy SUV. A prospective buyer should have the front discs measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping, as discs that have been scored repeatedly may now require machining or replacement rather than simply refitting with new pads. The rear pads flagged as thin in 2024 should be inspected to confirm they were subsequently renewed and have not worn down to a serviceable minimum by now. On a test drive, listen for any brake-related knocking, grinding, or pulsation through the steering wheel under firm pedal application, and check for any pulling to one side that could indicate a binding caliper. The 2026 tyre advisories across three corners are a separate but equally important point. Worn close to the legal limit on both front edges and the nearside rear suggests either an alignment issue, typically camber misalignment, or simply that the tyres have reached the end of their usable life and need replacement before the next MOT. On a test drive, pay attention to steering drift, uneven steering effort, or a slight pull to one side under braking or on a motorway, any of which could indicate that the tracking needs attention once fresh tyres are fitted. The child seat advisory noted in 2026 is not a mechanical concern and can be disregarded. Finally, given the vehicle is now eight years old with approaching 80,000 miles, a precautionary inspection of the suspension components including control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and the coil springs for any signs of cracking or sagging would be prudent, even though none of these items have yet appeared in the MOT record.