AUDI A6 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 8,676 MOT tests from 856 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every AUDI A6 has the same fault.

AUDI A6's have a very good reliability rating of 622/999. The score was calculated from the average of every AUDI A6 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the AUDI A6.

AUDI A6 (example)

Check an Audi A6 before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	841/999Excellent	68,279 miles	505 vehicles
N/A	N/A	823/999Excellent	68,352 miles	728 vehicles
N/A	N/A	820/999Excellent	68,352 miles	964 vehicles
N/A	N/A	800/999Excellent	79,071 miles	4,260 vehicles
N/A	N/A	778/999Very good	78,980 miles	7,852 vehicles
N/A	N/A	772/999Very good	93,437 miles	546 vehicles
N/A	N/A	724/999Very good	79,780 miles	10,063 vehicles
N/A	N/A	695/999Good	80,667 miles	9,911 vehicles
N/A	N/A	612/999Good	120,271 miles	537 vehicles
N/A	N/A	607/999Good	82,751 miles	5,513 vehicles
N/A	N/A	571/999Above average	111,833 miles	832 vehicles
N/A	N/A	539/999Above average	105,825 miles	1,167 vehicles
N/A	N/A	521/999Above average	87,641 miles	1,606 vehicles
N/A	N/A	521/999Above average	80,688 miles	536 vehicles
N/A	N/A	513/999Above average	82,080 miles	756 vehicles
N/A	N/A	504/999Above average	82,433 miles	4,225 vehicles
N/A	N/A	499/999Average	86,139 miles	3,662 vehicles
N/A	N/A	491/999Average	122,206 miles	541 vehicles
N/A	N/A	484/999Average	85,042 miles	3,128 vehicles
N/A	N/A	478/999Average	96,813 miles	1,960 vehicles
N/A	N/A	464/999Average	87,820 miles	2,671 vehicles

How reliable is the AUDI A6?

Based on 8,676 MOT tests from 856 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

856

MOT tests

8,676

Pass rate

84%

Median mileage

103,256 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every AUDI A6 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 684 out of 999.

Common AUDI A6 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,581 advisory comments and 261 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 331 advisory comments and 18 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 113 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 104 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 94 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 75 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 48 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE PIN OR BUSH EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

AUDI A6 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	8	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	17	6	66.7%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	21	28	89.3%	Tyre wear
2022	19	43	100%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2021	19	62	95.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2020	29	126	93.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	56	320	85.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	58	366	89.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	57	430	89.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	77	655	89.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	85	806	87.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	92	1001	85.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	66	786	83.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	48	638	84%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	34	495	82.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	48	813	80.3%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2009	22	366	83.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008	22	425	79.8%	Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
2007	17	323	78.9%	Tyre wear, Engine warning lamp
2006	16	323	78.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2005	9	218	77.5%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2004	7	134	76.9%	Tyre wear, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used AUDI A6

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Buying a AUDI A6?

Common problems tell you what can affect AUDI A6s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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