2016 Audi RS6: known problems and what to check
Too few Audi RS6 cars first registered in 2016 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. Here’s what we do know about the 2016 Audi RS6, and what to check before you buy one.
Known faults on the 2016 Audi RS6
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.
- Multitronic and S tronic automatic
Automatic gearbox failure (high mileage)
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.
- Diesel
Oil use (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.
- All engines
Fuel gauge and parking brake glitches
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.
- All engines
Water in the rear lights
Water can get into the rear light units, and new ones are expensive.
At the viewing: Look for condensation inside the rear lights.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Audi RS6
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
What to check on a 2016 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Looking at an Audi RS6?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Audi RS6 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 301 | Tyres 22% |
| 2021 | 315 | Tyres 14% |
| 2020 | 316 | Tyres 16% |
| 2018 | – | Too few tests |
| 2017 | – | Too few tests |
| 2015 | – | Too few tests |
| 2014 | 106 | Tyres 20% |
| 2013 | – | Too few tests |
| 2010 | – | Too few tests |
| 2009 | – | Too few tests |
| 2008 | 186 | Suspension 21% |
| 2005 | – | Too few tests |
| 2004 | – | Too few tests |
| 2003 | – | Too few tests |
| 2002 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: how many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics (DVLA records), counted by the year each car was first registered. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score