Used car guide

2001 Audi A6: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Audi A6s, from 169 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 169 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

169MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Audi A6s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Audi A6
    19.5% All 2001 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2001 Audi A6 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023613Tyres 12%
20224,100Tyres 25%
20214,607Tyres 23%
20203,476Tyres 23%
20198,744Tyres 25%
20188,079Tyres 27%
20179,212Tyres 26%
201612,939Tyres 26%
201511,038Tyres 27%
201410,360Tyres 29%
201310,013Tyres 30%
20127,674Tyres 31%
20116,524Suspension 36%
20106,176Suspension 40%
20093,830Suspension 41%
20084,690Suspension 49%
20074,436Suspension 46%
20062,407Suspension 48%
20051,375Suspension 47%
2004807Suspension 48%
2003574Suspension 50%
2002313Suspension 43%
2000171Suspension 49%
1999119Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Audi A6s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score