Audi A6 Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Audi A6 passes its MOT first time on 78.7% of tests, 11.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (67.4%). That puts it ahead of 95% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 A6 does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2005 worst (beats 85%).

Of its engines, the 4.0 Petrol does best (beats 99%) and the 1.9 Diesel worst (beats 67%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Linkage pins and bushes7.3×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Audi A6Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 46%

Beats 71%

Beats 65%

Beats 75%

Beats 75%

Beats 85%

Beats 90%

Beats 88%

Beats 88%

Beats 91%

Beats 93%

Beats 95%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 97%

Beats 98%

Beats 97%

Beats 96%

Beats 95%

Beats 96%

Beats 97%

Beats 94%

Beats 96%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	2005–2022	699,616	79.4%	Beats 94%	A
3.0 Diesel	2004–2020	184,706	82.1%	Beats 99%	A
2.7 Diesel	2005–2011	61,264	68.3%	Beats 91%	A
1.9 Diesel	2001–2008	26,036	56.0%	Beats 67%	B
4.0 Petrol	2013–2018	25,105	89.8%	Beats 99%	A
2.0 Petrol	2006–2022	23,704	83.9%	Beats 92%	A
2.5 Diesel	2001–2005	12,608	58.3%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	2000–2018	10,025	83.4%	Beats 78%	B
2.4 Petrol	2004–2006	4,623	64.7%	Beats 86%	A
4.2 Petrol	2003–2004	3,075	73.0%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Hybrid	2020–2021	2,599	92.8%	Beats 100%	A
3.1 Petrol	2005–2005	1,462	68.6%	Beats 94%	A
5.0 Petrol	2009–2009	1,178	85.0%	Beats 100%	A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Tyres: 7.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres

7.3% vs 7.6%

Lights & electrics

6.9% vs 14.0%

Suspension

5.2% vs 10.7%

Brakes

3.2% vs 8.3%

Visibility

2.5% vs 5.3%

Emissions & leaks

2.5% vs 3.7%

Body & structure

2.1% vs 3.9%

Seat belts & airbags

1.2% vs 1.3%

Steering

0.5% vs 2.3%

Wheels

0.4% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Tyre tread depth
Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Engine warning light
The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
Brake pads
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Audi A6Typical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Tyre damage & cracking	4.1%	3.9%	1.1×
Tyre tread depth	3.0%	3.4%	0.9×
Headlight aim	2.6%	3.8%	0.7×
Engine warning light	1.9%	1.8%	1.1×
Brake pads	1.5%	2.6%	0.6×
Coil springs	1.4%	2.7%	0.5×
Headlight bulbs & units	1.3%	2.6%	0.5×
Sidelights	1.3%	3.6%	0.4×
Windscreen washers	1.3%	2.4%	0.5×
Suspension arm bushes	1.0%	1.4%	0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	29.9
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	26.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	26.0
A tyre seriously damaged	23.5
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction	19.0
A tyre cords visible or damaged	16.8
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	14.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	12.6

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Audi A62 engines91.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	4,503	91.6%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Diesel	2,019	92.0%	Beats 98%	A

2021 Audi A63 engines90.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	6,144	88.9%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Petrol	4,494	91.5%	Beats 95%	A
2.0 Hybrid	1,352	92.8%	Beats 100%	A

2020 Audi A64 engines90.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	8,045	90.1%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Petrol	2,820	91.8%	Beats 98%	A
3.0 Diesel	1,362	89.6%	Beats 96%	A
2.0 Hybrid	1,247	92.8%	Beats 100%	A

2019 Audi A63 engines88.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	34,681	88.5%	Beats 95%	A
3.0 Diesel	5,644	90.4%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Petrol	3,186	90.9%	Beats 97%	A

2018 Audi A65 engines87.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	31,196	87.6%	Beats 95%	A
1.8 Petrol	9,014	86.9%	Beats 86%	A
3.0 Diesel	5,257	89.3%	Beats 98%	A
4.0 Petrol	2,379	90.4%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,297	90.1%	Beats 98%	A

2017 Audi A63 engines87.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	51,291	86.4%	Beats 95%	A
3.0 Diesel	8,641	88.6%	Beats 99%	A
4.0 Petrol	5,505	89.8%	Beats 98%	A

2016 Audi A63 engines86.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	81,162	85.4%	Beats 96%	A
3.0 Diesel	20,101	87.9%	Beats 99%	A
4.0 Petrol	6,089	89.2%	Beats 99%	A

2015 Audi A63 engines85.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	76,486	84.5%	Beats 97%	A
3.0 Diesel	21,589	88.0%	Beats 99%	A
4.0 Petrol	6,172	91.3%	Beats 100%	A

2014 Audi A63 engines82.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	70,111	81.8%	Beats 96%	A
3.0 Diesel	23,833	85.5%	Beats 99%	A
4.0 Petrol	3,686	88.6%	Beats 100%	A

2013 Audi A63 engines82.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	72,046	81.0%	Beats 98%	A
3.0 Diesel	21,017	85.1%	Beats 100%	A
4.0 Petrol	1,274	88.2%	Beats 100%	A

2012 Audi A62 engines80.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	54,608	79.1%	Beats 98%	A
3.0 Diesel	18,499	83.7%	Beats 100%	A

2011 Audi A63 engines75.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	45,828	73.6%	Beats 93%	A
3.0 Diesel	14,327	79.8%	Beats 99%	A
2.7 Diesel	2,948	75.9%	Beats 96%	A

2010 Audi A64 engines71.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	45,012	70.6%	Beats 91%	A
3.0 Diesel	8,100	75.1%	Beats 97%	A
2.7 Diesel	6,374	75.1%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,163	75.0%	Beats 95%	A

2009 Audi A64 engines69.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	29,729	68.5%	Beats 89%	A
2.7 Diesel	4,138	70.1%	Beats 92%	A
3.0 Diesel	4,113	73.3%	Beats 96%	A
5.0 Petrol	1,178	85.0%	Beats 100%	A

2008 Audi A65 engines67.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	34,599	66.6%	Beats 87%	A
2.7 Diesel	15,417	67.1%	Beats 88%	A
3.0 Diesel	7,415	68.7%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,980	68.1%	Beats 89%	A
1.9 Diesel	1,133	62.8%	Beats 77%	B

2007 Audi A65 engines66.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	33,790	65.1%	Beats 85%	A
2.7 Diesel	13,712	66.6%	Beats 88%	A
3.0 Diesel	11,933	69.2%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Petrol	2,555	65.0%	Beats 83%	A
1.9 Diesel	1,679	63.4%	Beats 81%	A

2006 Audi A65 engines66.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	17,176	64.6%	Beats 86%	A
2.7 Diesel	12,788	67.6%	Beats 93%	A
3.0 Diesel	6,337	66.7%	Beats 91%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,706	65.5%	Beats 87%	A
2.4 Petrol	1,340	67.2%	Beats 91%	A

2005 Audi A67 engines63.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.7 Diesel	5,887	64.6%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Diesel	5,693	63.2%	Beats 85%	A
3.0 Diesel	4,722	67.8%	Beats 94%	A
1.9 Diesel	4,233	56.9%	Beats 67%	B
2.5 Diesel	2,443	61.4%	Beats 80%	A
2.4 Petrol	2,098	65.3%	Beats 88%	A
3.1 Petrol	1,462	68.6%	Beats 94%	A

2004 Audi A65 engines59.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	7,347	54.4%	Beats 63%	B
2.5 Diesel	3,859	59.2%	Beats 77%	B
3.0 Diesel	1,816	66.0%	Beats 92%	A
4.2 Petrol	1,196	74.7%	Beats 99%	A
2.4 Petrol	1,185	60.8%	Beats 78%	B

2003 Audi A63 engines58.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	6,579	55.3%	Beats 66%	B
2.5 Diesel	2,695	58.0%	Beats 75%	B
4.2 Petrol	1,879	71.9%	Beats 97%	A

2002 Audi A62 engines54.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	3,897	54.6%	Beats 65%	B
2.5 Diesel	2,156	53.8%	Beats 63%	B

2001 Audi A62 engines56.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,455	58.4%	Beats 75%	B
1.9 Diesel	1,168	55.0%	Beats 67%	B

2000 Audi A61 engine51.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	1,011	51.5%	Beats 46%	C

FAQ

What is the Audi A6 MOT pass rate?

78.7% of MOT tests on the Audi A6 were passed first time, based on 1,056,001 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2000–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 67.4% of the time.

Is the Audi A6 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 95% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Audi A6 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 A6 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2005 does worst: it beats 85%.

Which Audi A6 engine is best?

Across all years, the 4.0 Petrol does best: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 1.9 Diesel does worst: it beats 67%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Audi A6?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, linkage pins and bushes comes up 7.3× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Audi A6 reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ