At a Glance
The Audi A6 has 11 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the C6 (2004-2011) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 2.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Audi A6 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Audi A6 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Audi A6 Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
C4
Most common MOT failure: Brake hydraulic component worn
C5
Top issue: Suspension unit fault
C6
Top issue: Seat belt condition
C7
Top issue: Brake pads or linings worn
C8
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Audi A6 MOT Failures
Every reason Audi A6 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.45% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 10.02% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 9.41% |
| 4 | Driveshaft fault | 8.70% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.33% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.69% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.63% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.44% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 3.28% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.90% |
| 11 | Stop lamp not working | 2.87% |
| 12 | Track rod end worn | 2.81% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.34% |
| 14 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.32% |
| 15 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.10% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.90% |
| 17 | Headlamp fault | 1.65% |
| 18 | Position lamp not working | 1.56% |
| 19 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.39% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.35% |
| 21 | Fog lamp not working | 1.32% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 1.25% |
| 23 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 1.21% |
| 24 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.18% |
| 25 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.08% |
| 26 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.06% |
| 27 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.82% |
| 28 | ABS fault | 0.75% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.74% |
| 30 | Airbag warning light on | 0.72% |
| 31 | Seat belt condition | 0.71% |
| 32 | Rear lamp not working | 0.61% |
| 33 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.46% |
| 34 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.39% |
| 35 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.39% |
| 36 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.38% |
| 37 | Rear suspension fault | 0.30% |
| 38 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.30% |
| 39 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.29% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.27% |
| 41 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.26% |
| 42 | Front suspension fault | 0.22% |
| 43 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.20% |
| 44 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.19% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.18% |
| 46 | Brake fluid leak | 0.18% |
| 47 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.17% |
| 48 | Horn not working | 0.17% |
| 49 | CV joint worn | 0.17% |
| 50 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.15% |
| 51 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 53 | Parking brake condition | 0.11% |
| 54 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 55 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.09% |
| 56 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 57 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.09% |
| 58 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 60 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 61 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.08% |
| 62 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 63 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.07% |
| 64 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 66 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 67 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 68 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 69 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 71 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 72 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 73 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 74 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 75 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.04% |
| 76 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 81 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 82 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.03% |
| 84 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.03% |
| 86 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 87 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 88 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 89 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 91 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 96 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Chassis condition | 0.02% |
| 98 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 100 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 103 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 105 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 109 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 113 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 118 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 121 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 135 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 136 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 139 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 144 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 172 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 182 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Footrest damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 187 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 189 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 191 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 191 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Audi A6 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Audi A6, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Audi A6 problems?
Based on analysis of 2.1M Audi A6 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 11 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Seat belt condition". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Audi A6 generation has the most problems?
The Audi A6 C6 (2004-2011) (2004–2011) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Audi A6?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Audi A6 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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