Audi A6 MOT pass rate and common problems
85.3% of 216,049 Audi A6 MOT tests pass.
The A6's pass rate of 85.3% is in line with the average across all Audi models, at 84.5%.
The Audi A6 passes its MOT 85.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi A6?
This is the average across every Audi A6 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 93.9% at 0–3 years to 74.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.9% | 5,739 | 31,694 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.5% | 34,382 | 52,434 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.6% | 76,437 | 86,602 miles |
| 10–15 years | 82.5% | 65,336 | 126,131 miles |
| 15+ years | 74.6% | 34,155 | 159,732 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi A6
The most common reason the Audi A6 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 37.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.3% | Not working |
| Suspension | 33.6% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 17.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.4% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 11.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.6% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Road Wheels | 2.8% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Audi A6: what to check
These checks follow the Audi A6’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi A6 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 82.5% to 74.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 84.2% down to 79.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 37.9% of failed Audi A6 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.3% of failed Audi A6 MOTs. 21.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 33.6% of failed Audi A6 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 15.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 17.8% of failed Audi A6 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 11.7% of failed Audi A6 MOTs. 5.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 0.7% at 0–3 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi A1 — 82.9% pass rate
- Audi A5 — 85.0% pass rate
- Audi Q3 — 87.6% pass rate
- Audi TT — 83.4% pass rate
- Audi Q5 — 88.8% pass rate
- Audi Q2 — 93.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A6?
- 85.3% of Audi A6 MOT tests pass, based on 216,049 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi A6?
- The most common reason the Audi A6 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Audi A6?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi A6 are tyres; lights and electrics; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi A6?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi A6's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.