2016 Audi A6 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Audi A6 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Audi A6 diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Audi A6

  8.4% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Audi A6

  3% All 2016 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Engine warning light1.7× usual
  Audi A6

  2.2% All 2016 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2016 Audi A6 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Audi A6 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Suspension
  14% 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
  14% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2016 Audi A6 diesel

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)

• 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 2016 Audi A6 diesel

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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Audi A6 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2016 Audi A6 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Audi A6 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?