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Audi RS6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Audi RS6 car check

Is the Audi RS6 reliable? We analysed 15,293 real MOT tests across 1,156 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 15,293 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.0%
Typical Mileage
71,371mi
Annual Mileage
4,608mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Audi RS6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi RS6.

Audi RS6 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Audi RS6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Audi RS6 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Audi RS6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

92.9%
2017
91.6%
2016
87.6%
2015
89.1%
2014
90.2%
2013
91.2%
2010
86.4%
2009
84.6%
2008
79.8%
2005
80.2%
2004
78.3%
2003
78.1%
2002

Audi RS6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Audi RS6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 273
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 199
constant velocity joint gaiter split 167
Headlamp aim too low 114
constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc 110
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 98
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 84
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 81
position lamp(s) not working 68
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 66

Audi RS6 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Audi RS6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,263 mi/yr
Typical
4,608 mi/yr
Average
5,751 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,867 mi/yr

Audi RS6 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi RS6 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 70 92.9% 28,826 41,300 54,497
2016 83 91.6% 33,427 47,017 61,532
2015 217 87.6% 31,478 50,475 70,979
2014 1,287 89.1% 36,914 53,202 71,292
2013 600 90.2% 33,628 52,226 73,131
2010 273 91.2% 35,889 52,027 73,218
2009 1,574 86.4% 49,522 69,542 93,688
2008 4,122 84.6% 45,694 68,822 92,805
2005 257 79.8% 67,072 84,452 111,850
2004 1,819 80.2% 54,780 78,328 107,047
2003 4,329 78.3% 58,276 82,868 108,048
2002 547 78.1% 55,308 85,476 114,184

How Long Does a Audi RS6 Last?

Based on 1,156 Audi RS6 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.1 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Audi RS6 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Audi RS6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
71,371 mi
75th Percentile
97,268 mi
95th Percentile
135,449 mi
Max Recorded
996,032 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Audi RS6

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2017

92.9% MOT pass rate from 70 tests

Year to avoid
2002

78.1% MOT pass rate from 547 tests

The best year to buy a used Audi RS6 is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.9% across 70 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Audi RS6 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Audi RS6 THIS CAR 83.0% 15,293 71,371 mi 24 yrs
Audi A3 78% 7,415,025 78,776 mi 29 yrs
Audi A4 76.1% 7,096,957 96,834 mi 31 yrs
Audi A6 78.4% 2,724,792 98,890 mi 31 yrs
MG Hs Exclusive S-a 89.9% 23,370 25,224 mi — yrs

Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi RS6 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Audi RS6?

The Audi RS6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.0% across 15,293 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Audi RS6 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (273 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (199), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (167). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Audi RS6 owner drives around 4,608 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Audi RS6 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Audi RS6 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Audi RS6 reliable?
Based on 15,293 MOT tests, the Audi RS6 has a 83.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Audi RS6?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed, and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Audi RS6 do per year?
The typical Audi RS6 does around 4,608 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Audi RS6 last?
Most Audi RS6 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 1,156 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Audi RS6?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Audi RS6?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Audi RS6 is 2017 with a 92.9% pass rate across 70 tests.