Audi A6
Registered from 1995 to 2025.
About this model
The Audi A6 is an executive car manufactured by the German company Audi since 1994. Now in its sixth generation, the successor to the Audi 100 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany, and is available in saloon and estate configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant. Audi's internal numbering treats the A6 as a continuation of the Audi 100 lineage, with the initial A6 designated as a member of the C4-series, followed by the C5, C6, C7, C8 and the C9. The related Audi A7 is essentially a Sportback (liftback) version of the C7-series and C8-series A6 but is marketed under its own separate identity and model designation.
From the Wikipedia article Audi A6, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2016 2.0 diesel. 1,328 of 11,401 tests failed, 12%.
Better than 62% of 2016 cars. The typical one fails 13%, across 899 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 51% | 679 |
| Suspension | 16% | 206 |
| Brakes | 13% | 178 |
| Body and structure | 12% | 165 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 12% | 160 |
| Lights and electrics | 11% | 141 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 51% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 16% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Brakes — 13% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 12% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 11% of its failures
- Body and structure — 12% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 15% of its inspections, against the 20% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 10% | 568 | |
| 40–60k miles | 11% | 13% | 2,540 | |
| 60–80k miles | 12% | 16% | 3,422 | |
| 80–100k miles | 12% | 18% | 2,415 | |
| 100–120k miles | 13% | 19% | 1,259 | |
| 120–140k miles | 12% | 19% | 613 | |
| 140–160k miles | 12% | 19% | 267 | |
| 160–180k miles | 14% | 18% | 171 | |
| 180–200k miles | 18% | 18% | 56 | |
| 200k+ miles | 15% | 20% | 60 |
11,371 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0 hybrid · 261 hp · 2150 kg · 2931 mm wheelbase · 1.4 L/100km (WLTP) · 193 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 2.0 diesel · 194 hp · 1739 kg · 2932 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 diesel · 1738 kg · 2932 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 diesel · 1748 kg · 2933 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 diesel · 1737 kg · 2933 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 199 hp · 1755 kg · 2796 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 1797 kg · 2914 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 172 hp · 1750 kg · 2915 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 171 hp · 1691 kg · 2920 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 171 hp · 1680 kg · 2919 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 169 hp · 1684 kg · 2911 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 163 hp · 1683 kg · 2893 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00504/22
Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00788/23
The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00849/20
Audi has been informed by its current supplier that driver-airbag gas generators from the original manufacturer Takata (‘NADI’ (non-azide driver inflator) generators) produced during 1997-1999 may be faulty. Internal investigations have shown that in the event of an accident the restraining effect of the deployed driver airbag might not always be fully guaranteed. Compliance with the statutory requirements in force for protection by an airbag in the event of an accident is thus not ensured. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01891/20
The Takata gas generator housing could burst when the passenger airbag is deployed. This may cause small metal parts to become detached from the housing, posing a risk of injury to the occupants.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02640/23
The front left side airbag is not properly fixed and the seat may cause the area covered by the airbag to move slightly. As a result, the protective effect of the airbag is reduced, increasing the risk of injury in case of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00268/25
During the charging process, the high/voltage battery may overheat due to a defect in the battery modules. This can result in a fire and cause injuries to occupants and bystanders. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00999/25
The vehicles may have been fitted with a damaged module of the passengers airbag, which may impair the restraining effect of the airbag in the event of an accident, posing a risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02844/25
If the front passenger airbag is deployed as a result of an accident, the gas generator housing may burst or components of the gas generator housing may come loose and cause serious or fatal injuries to vehicle occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
2 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.