Used buying checklist
Audi A6 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Audi A6 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 14.8% of 146,874 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 14.8% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 99,858 miles
- 21,739 failed MOT tests analysed
Lights and electrical is the clearest area to check
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning, with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, and inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- warning lamp indicates a fault
- corroded and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- does not provide a view to the rear
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
Focus on lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
The model's recorded failure rate is 14.8%, -3.9 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed146,874 tests
- Median tested mileage99,858 miles
- Failed MOT tests21,739
Should you buy a used Audi A6?
85.2% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 14.8%, -3.9 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
- lights and electrical appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Audi A6, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
The MOT failure rate rises from 7.6% at 0-3 years to 21.9% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
-
Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
-
Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
-
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
-
Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
-
Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
-
Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Audi A6, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Lights and electrical is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Audi A6 mainly involve 6 areas: seatbelts and safety systems, mixed recall notices, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Audi A6, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 21,635 | 19,063 | 8.2%-2.7 percentage points vs all models | 37,499 miles |
| 50-100k | 51,589 | 43,715 | 12.3%-8.4 percentage points vs all models | 75,400 miles |
| 100-150k | 42,764 | 34,704 | 17.1%-9.1 percentage points vs all models | 122,608 miles |
| 150-200k | 22,590 | 17,764 | 20.6%-6.7 percentage points vs all models | 169,338 miles |
| 200k+ | 7,555 | 5,934 | 22.1%-4.4 percentage points vs all models | 221,644 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Audi A6, MOT records most often point to lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
|
|
| 50-100k |
|
|
| 100-150k |
|
|
| 150-200k |
|
|
| 200k+ |
|
|
Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 7.6% at 0-3 years to 21.9% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 21.9% for 15+ years cars, based on 26,070 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
1,452 | 1,338 | 7.6%-0.8 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
25,314 | 21,968 | 8.6%-1.9 percentage points vs all models | 4.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
51,379 | 44,050 | 12.0%-4.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
42,659 | 34,358 | 17.7%-5.9 percentage points vs all models | 12.1 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
26,070 | 20,181 | 21.9%-3.9 percentage points vs all models | 16.6 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-11-14 | Belt buckle rivet missing On affected vehicles an important connection in the seat belt buckle may not have been produced correctly during the assembly process. The belt buckles on both front seats (left and right) must be replaced. |
|---|---|
| 2025-10-24 | Software update for battery control unit On affected vehicles there may be defective battery modules which may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery. Update the software of the high-voltage battery to improve the self-diagnosis capabilities. Vehicle owners are advised to not charge the high-voltage battery using external charging sources and also not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” until the update is applied. |
| 2025-08-08 | Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM. |
| 2024-12-09 | Servicing high-voltage battery On affected vehicles battery modules may become defective over the course of the vehicle’s service life. This may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery with the associated risk of severe or fatal injuries to people inside and/or outside the vehicle as well as significant material damage. To minimise this risk do not charge the high-voltage battery using an external charging source. In addition do not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” (refer to Owner’s Manual) until further notice. Replace the defective modules. Further software fix being developed to improve monitoring. |
| 2024-04-04 | Replacing Takata passenger airbag On affected vehicles the passenger airbag may in extremely rare cases be overloaded and even burst when the passenger airbag is triggered. If this were to happen small metal parts could become dislodged from the housing and potentially cause life-threatening injury to a vehicle occupant. For safety reasons it is necessary to check the passenger airbag and if required to replace the airbag module. |
| 2023-10-27 | On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat. On certain vehicles an incorrect bracket for the side airbag was fitted in the left front seat. Replace the side airbag and bracket. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Audi A6. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Audi reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.