2013 Audi A6: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Audi A6?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Audi A6 than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes4.2× usual
  Audi A6

  2.1% All 2013 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2013 Audi A6 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Audi A6 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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.

• Suspension
  25% 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
  17% 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
  11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  3% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2013 Audi A6

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Automatic gearbox failure (high mileage)

  Multitronic and S tronic automatic

  Both the Multitronic and S tronic automatics can fail on high-mileage cars, and a replacement is a four-figure job.

  At the viewing: Drive in traffic and on the open road, and check for slipping, jerks or hesitation.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A6 buying guide (2011-2018)

• Oil use (diesel)

  Diesel

  The diesels can use a lot of oil. A low level can also point to poor maintenance.

  At the viewing: Check the dipstick shows full.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A6 buying guide (2011-2018)

• Brake recall (built 2012 to Aug 2014)

  Built 2012 to Aug 2014

  Oil could get into the braking system on cars built from 2012 to August 2014, reducing braking. There was a recall.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A6 buying guide (2011-2018)

• Fuel gauge and parking brake glitches

  All engines

  The fuel gauge can read empty with a full tank, and the electronic parking brake can refuse to release. A software update fixes both.

  At the viewing: Check the fuel gauge and that the parking brake releases cleanly.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A6 buying guide (2011-2018)

• Water in the rear lights

  All engines

  Water can get into the rear light units, and new ones are expensive.

  At the viewing: Look for condensation inside the rear lights.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A6 buying guide (2011-2018)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Audi A6

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2013 Audi A6 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?