Audi A6: what fails at MOT
201,000 MOT tests on the Audi A6 in 2024, counted. 17.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
17.9% of Audi A6 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.6%, so the A6 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4.1% of tests), lights and electrics (3.4% of tests) and suspension (3.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,884 | 8.0% | 10.9% | 29,800 21,700 to 39,800 |
| 2020 | 6,592 | 7.6% | 11.5% | 38,600 28,300 to 52,800 |
| 2019 | 15,487 | 9.0% | 13.4% | 49,200 38,000 to 64,200 |
| 2018 | 13,742 | 10.1% | 15.6% | 57,500 44,800 to 74,200 |
| 2017 | 16,182 | 12.0% | 18.2% | 69,200 53,600 to 89,900 |
| 2016 | 22,073 | 13.4% | 21.3% | 79,400 62,200 to 101,500 |
| 2015 | 19,084 | 14.7% | 24.4% | 91,600 72,100 to 115,900 |
| 2014 | 17,861 | 17.0% | 27.7% | 101,900 81,500 to 127,800 |
| 2013 | 16,964 | 18.4% | 30.6% | 111,700 89,400 to 137,100 |
| 2012 | 13,039 | 19.3% | 33.4% | 123,300 100,300 to 148,000 |
| 2011 | 10,134 | 25.5% | 36.1% | 132,400 107,600 to 160,600 |
| 2010 | 9,581 | 27.8% | 38.6% | 141,800 113,600 to 170,800 |
| 2009 | 6,420 | 29.0% | 39.8% | 147,900 117,000 to 180,500 |
| 2008 | 8,519 | 32.8% | 41.5% | 154,800 125,900 to 183,900 |
| 2007 | 8,299 | 32.4% | 41.5% | 161,900 132,400 to 190,000 |
| 2006 | 5,086 | 34.0% | 42.4% | 163,100 136,800 to 193,100 |
| 2005 | 2,651 | 32.8% | 42.2% | 160,000 128,700 to 188,700 |
| 2004 | 1,537 | 35.5% | 42.3% | 151,100 118,800 to 186,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Audi A6 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | A6 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.1% | 4.3% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 3.4% | 7.2% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.2% | 5.8% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.6% | 4.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.4% | 2.9% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.3% | 2.1% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Seat belt2.8%
- Tyre tread1.7%
- Headlamp aim1.4%
- Engine warning light1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.9%
- Coil spring0.9%
- Brake pads0.8%
- Washers0.8%
- Driveshaft joint0.7%
- Headlamp0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
- Side light: not working0.6%
- Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.5%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.2%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.6%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Audi A6's own MOT record
Looking at a A6? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.