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Audi A6 reliability and common problems

How the Audi A6 does at its MOT, what fails most often and how far it is typically driven, from 3,406 different Audi A6 vehicles checked on CarCheckUp. Then check the one you're looking at with a free car history check.

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Audi A6 MOT pass rate, failures and mileage

  • 82%of MOT tests passed
  • 9,500typical miles a year
  • 5.6%have a mileage anomaly (an MOT reading lower than an earlier one)
  • 37,134MOT tests analysed
  • 2009–2016built, for the middle half of these vehicles
  • 92%diesel; 7% petrol

Most common MOT failure areas

Share of failed tests with a failure item in each area.

  • Lights and indicators39%
  • Tyres33%
  • Suspension20%
  • Brakes13%
  • Windscreen and wipers11%

Most common MOT advisories

Share of all tests with an advisory in each area: wear to watch before it becomes a failure.

  • Tyres25%
  • Brakes16%
  • Suspension13%
  • Lights and indicators8%
  • Windscreen and wipers5%

Based on the DVSA MOT histories of all 3,285 Audi A6 vehicles with an MOT checked on CarCheckUp since March 2023 (37,134 tests, retests included). Updated 29 September 2026. A lower mileage reading is often a typing error at the test centre, sometimes a replaced instrument cluster or clocking: our free mileage check flags it for any registration. Every MOT test and advisory for one car is in the free MOT history check. Market-wide figures: UK Used Car Risk Report. How we calculate these figures. MOT and DVLA data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Check an Audi A6 by registration

Enter the UK registration number below for instant free MOT history, mileage readings and DVLA details, with an optional full 200+ point history report.

Is the Audi A6 reliable?

Going by its MOT results, the Audi A6 is above average: 82% of the 37,134 MOT tests on Audi A6 vehicles checked on CarCheckUp were passed, against 77% for all vehicles we checked. That places it 6th of the 59 popular models we publish figures for. Lights and indicators items are its most common reason to fail (39% of failed tests). MOT results show how often cars reach the test with a defect, not breakdowns or repair bills, so judge the one you are buying by its own MOT history and service record.

From MOT recordsA6All vehicles
MOT pass rate82%77%
Tests with an advisory51%53%
Advisories per test1.311.48
Miles a year (median)9,5007,500
Mileage anomaly5.6%5.7%

Audi A6: 3,285 vehicles and 37,134 MOT tests. All vehicles: 492,751 vehicles and 5,722,341 tests checked on CarCheckUp. Vehicles people check before buying are not a random sample of the UK fleet. The models side by side: most reliable cars by MOT pass rate.

Audi A6 common problems: most common MOT failures and advisories

The defects MOT testers record most often on the Audi A6, as a share of all its MOT tests (the same defect on any wheel or side counts once). Look at these on the car you are viewing, or on your own before its next MOT.

Top 15 Audi A6 MOT failures

Reasons the car failed its MOT.

  1. Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
  2. Tyre has ply or cords exposed1.1%
  3. Position lamp not working1.1%
  4. Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
  5. Brake pad less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
Show all 15
  1. Headlamp aim too high0.9%
  2. Headlamp aim too low0.9%
  3. Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
  4. Registration plate lamp not working0.9%
  5. Coil spring fractured or broken0.8%
  6. Headlamp not working on dipped beam0.7%
  7. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid0.7%
  8. Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively0.6%
  9. Stop lamp not working0.5%
  10. Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn0.5%

Top 20 Audi A6 MOT advisories

Wear the tester noted: not a failure yet, but money to budget for.

  1. Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.5%
  2. Brake pad wearing thin6.5%
  3. Tyre worn close to the legal limit4.9%
  4. Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.1%
  5. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view2.1%
Show all 20
  1. Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.9%
  2. Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.9%
  3. Oil leak, but not excessive1.9%
  4. Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.8%
  5. Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources1.7%
  6. Nail in tyre1.3%
  7. Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.3%
  8. Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.3%
  9. Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'1.1%
  10. Brake disc worn, but not excessively0.9%
  11. Shock absorbers has light misting of oil0.9%
  12. Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A'0.7%
  13. Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened0.7%
  14. Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated0.7%
  15. Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.6%

From the DVSA MOT histories of 3,282 Audi A6 vehicles checked on CarCheckUp (37,123 tests, retests included), counted 2 October 2026. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

What to check on a used Audi A6

In the order the A6's MOT records suggest: the areas that fail or draw advisories most often on this model, and what to look at in each.

  1. Lights and indicators 39% of failed A6 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Position lamp not working” (1.1% of tests). Have someone walk round the car while you try every lamp, including the number plate, brake and fog lamps, and look for misted or cracked units.
  2. Tyres 33% of failed A6 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm” (2.4% of tests). Look at the tread across the full width of all four tyres and at the sidewalls for cracks or bulges; uneven wear points to tracking or suspension faults.
  3. Suspension 20% of failed A6 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Coil spring fractured or broken” (0.8% of tests). Drive over a rough road with the radio off and listen for knocks; push down on each corner (it should settle at once) and look for uneven tyre wear.
  4. Brakes 13% of failed A6 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Brake pad less than 1.5 mm thick” (1.0% of tests). Look through the wheels at the discs for a raised lip, scoring or rust, ask when pads and discs were last changed, and check the handbrake holds on a slope.
  5. Windscreen and wipers 11% of failed A6 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid” (0.7% of tests). Check the glass for chips and cracks in the driver's view, and that the wipers clear cleanly and the washers work.

Then read the car's own record: the free MOT history check shows every failure and advisory for one registration, and the MOT advisories check explains what each note means.

Key history checks before buying a used Audi A6

Outstanding Finance

A Audi on hire purchase, PCP or a logbook loan may still belong to the lender. Buying it can lead to a dispute over who owns it. Outstanding finance check

Insurance Write-Off (Cat S, N, C, D)

Shows if an insurer declared the car a total loss. Cat S and N cars can return to the road, but the record lowers the value and can affect insurance. Write-off check

Police Stolen Marker

Checks the Police National Computer. A stolen car can be taken back, leaving you without the car or your money. Stolen car check

High Risk Register

Shows if a finance company, insurer or the police has registered an interest in the A6. Find out why before you buy.

Mileage Anomaly Check & MOT History

Free: every MOT mileage reading, with advisories and failures. The full report checks them for drops (clocking) and adds mileage recorded by dealers and insurers. Mileage check

Previous Keepers & Plate Changes

How many keepers the car has had and when, plus number plate changes that can separate a car from its history. Previous owners check

Colour Changes

A respray can be harmless, or hide accident repairs or a disguised identity. Compare the recorded colour with the car.

Imported & Exported

An imported Audi can have history from abroad that UK records don't show; an export marker on a car for sale here needs explaining.

Also included in every full report

  • More risk checks
  • Scrapped & certificate of destruction
  • Vehicle Identity Check (VIC)
  • More history
  • Colour changes & DVLA colour codes
  • Log book (V5C) issue dates
  • Imported, exported & pre-registration use
  • Previous searches on the vehicle
  • Vehicle data
  • Registration & status details
  • Manufacturer (SMMT) model details
  • Engine, performance & technical specification
  • Kerb & gross weights, length, width, height & towing
  • Fuel economy, emissions & noise
  • Road tax band & 6/12-month cost

Run a full car history check · See a sample full report · Prices

Audi A6 questions

What is the most common MOT failure on the Audi A6?

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm: found at 2.4% of the Audi A6 MOT tests we analysed. By area, lights and indicators items appear in 39% of failed tests.

What is the Audi A6 MOT pass rate?

82% of 37,134 MOT tests on 3,285 Audi A6 vehicles checked on CarCheckUp were passed (retests included). The UK average across all vehicles we checked is 77%.

What are the common problems with the Audi A6?

Going by its MOT records, the Audi A6's most common failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2.4% of tests); tyre has ply or cords exposed (1.1% of tests); position lamp not working (1.1% of tests). The full list of the top 20 MOT failures and advisories is on this page.

What is the most common MOT advisory on the Audi A6?

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge: noted at 8.5% of tests. An advisory is not a failure, but it is wear to budget for.

How many miles a year is a Audi A6 typically driven?

About 9,500 miles a year (the median, from MOT mileage readings). 5.6% have a mileage anomaly: an MOT reading lower than an earlier one.

Is a Audi A6 car check free?

The MOT history with mileage readings, tax and DVLA details of any Audi A6 are free. The full car history check (finance, write-off, stolen, keepers, the mileage anomaly check and 200+ data points) is paid, from £5.59 a report.