Used Audi Q7 2015-present reliability review

What should I look for in a used Audi Q7?

What are the most common problems with a used Audi Q7?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

Although it's not aimed solely at the off-road brigade, it’s worth checking the underside of any Q7 for damage that might have been incurred on the rough stuff. Check the bodywork carefully, because this is a large car that will have been used in tight urban spaces. Also check the alloy wheels for damage.

So far, reported problems are few. Most centre around the non-engine electrics, so make sure all the electrical goodies work as they should.

On top of that, spare parts are expensive, although there are a number of independent specialists who will look after your Q7 for prices that are generally cheaper than an Audi main dealer's.

Is a used Audi Q7 reliable?

In the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Q7 proved to be the least reliable seven-seater and the lowest-scoring luxury car. None of which is very good, to say the least. Its score of 80.8% was very poor.

Reliability rating 80.8%

Although the Audi Q7's fault rate of 33% isn't sky high, the fact that many repairs were eye-wateringly expensive dented the ownership experience for some. Audi only covered the cost of 50% of repair work, leaving some owners with bills of up to £750 and a quarter had to pay more than £1500 to get their cars fixed.

Most cars could still be driven, but only 13% of issues were resolved in a day or less; 63% took up to a week and the rest took longer than a week. A range of electrical issues were the most common complaints, and there were some reports of problems with engines, too.

Audi as a brand didn't do much better, finishing in 24th place out of 30 manufacturers in the same survey. Its score was 89.0%, which put it below all its main rivals, including BMW and Mercedes, but above Land Rover and Alfa Romeo.

Used Audi Q7 reliability: the owners' view

In our latest Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Audi Q7 (2015-present) has a mixed record when it comes to reliability and dealer support.

Several owners reported electronic faults, including issues with warning lights and infotainment systems, which often required trips to the dealer for resets or replacements. Diesel models were more likely to suffer from emissions-related problems and noisy engine operation, particularly on cold starts. One owner mentioned a persistent fault with the AdBlue system, which wasn’t resolved even after multiple visits to the dealership.

While some readers praised the professionalism of Audi’s dealer network, others were less impressed. Complaints ranged from slow diagnostics to long waits for parts, especially for more complex repairs. Costs for out-of-warranty work were also noted as high. Overall, while some Q7s ran fault-free, others proved expensive and time-consuming to maintain.