Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

Audi A6 reliability

The Audi A6 fails 20.1% of first MOT tests, 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 449,730 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 83/100#15 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Audi A6 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 20.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 36% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 449,730; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 11,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Audi A6 is a good bet on paper. Only 20.1% of first-time MOT tests failed, compared with 28.4% for all cars. It also has 36% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and ranks 15 of 40 executive car models. Model year matters, though. 2015 cars did best, with 46% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2002 cars did least well, at 6% fewer.

Check the tyres first. The most common failures are tread below 1.6mm (2.38% of tests), exposed ply or cords (1.38%), and cuts reaching the ply or cords (1.18%). Also look at the coil springs, which are fractured or broken in 1.3% of tests. Ask the seller for the MOT history before you agree to buy.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi A6 ages

Each point is the share of Audi A6s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi A6All cars

Audi A6 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi A6	All cars
3	9.3%	12.3%
4	9.9%	14.1%
5	11.2%	16.4%
6	13.1%	19.1%
7	14.2%	22.1%
8	16%	25.5%
9	17.7%	28.8%
10	19.9%	31.8%
11	22.3%	34.6%
12	25.9%	37.3%
13	29%	39.5%
14	31.2%	41.1%
15	33.3%	42.3%
16	33.1%	42.9%
17	35%	43.4%
18	35.5%	43.5%
19	35%	43.4%
20	41.2%	42.8%
21	38.3%	41.4%
22	40.6%	40.6%
23	40.5%	38.9%
24	35.4%	37.1%
25	34.7%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Audi A6 years

2015 cars come out best and 2002 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi A6 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 A6	2,259	8.1%	38% fewer fails	31,366
2020 A6	7,748	8%	44% fewer fails	37,833
2019 A6	27,741	9.7%	39% fewer fails	44,007
2018 A6	30,865	10.3%	40% fewer fails	49,648
2017 A6	35,337	12%	42% fewer fails	61,653
2016 A6	49,292	13.6%	43% fewer fails	72,712
2015 A6	42,252	14.9%	46% fewer fails	85,018
2014 A6	39,957	17.9%	42% fewer fails	95,094
2013 A6	38,428	18.8%	45% fewer fails	104,578
2012 A6	30,196	20.4%	45% fewer fails	116,855
2011 A6	25,126	26%	34% fewer fails	126,177
2010 A6	24,095	28.5%	32% fewer fails	135,929
2009 A6	16,058	30%	30% fewer fails	143,465
2008 A6	22,597	33%	26% fewer fails	150,109
2007 A6	22,931	32.9%	27% fewer fails	156,656
2006 A6	14,111	34.5%	24% fewer fails	160,426
2005 A6	8,071	35.3%	23% fewer fails	157,517
2004 A6	4,673	37.5%	18% fewer fails	151,683
2003 A6	3,055	38.5%	15% fewer fails	147,096
2002 A6	1,851	42.7%	6% fewer fails	156,114
2001	919	38.3%	14% fewer fails	155,725
2000	895	40.3%	5% fewer fails	147,510
1999	724	37.6%	10% fewer fails	156,504
1998	347	35.7%	11% fewer fails	145,519

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi A6

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres6.8%7% below avg
Lights and electrics6.3%52% below avg
Suspension5.2%51% below avg
Brakes3%63% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%31% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.4%52% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.1%47% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.1%15% below avg
Steering0.5%79% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.38% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.38% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.3% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.18% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.08% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.08% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
7
Position lamp not working 0.98% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.96% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A6's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.69%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.43%
Brake pads wearing thin6.36%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.03%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.06%
Engine oil leak, not excessive2.42%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi A6

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi A6 covers about 11,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel90.8%
Petrol9%
Hybrid0.2%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, White, Silver, Blue

Average engine size: 2.3 litres.

Compare

How the Audi A6 compares with its rivals

Audi A6 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A6	20.1%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 5 Series	20.4%	35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 4 Series	14.1%	34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A5	19.7%	30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	21%	27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar XF	23.1%	23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A4	26.5%	21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi A6 questions, answered

Is the Audi A6 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi A6 is better than average: it fails 20.1% of first MOT tests, 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 15 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi A6 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A6 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.38% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.38% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.3% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.8% of its tests.

Which Audi A6 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi A6 do a year?

A typical Audi A6 covers about 11,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi A6 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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