Audi S6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi S6 car check
Is the Audi S6 reliable? We analysed 5,068 real MOT tests across 399 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi S6? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi S6 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 S6.
Audi S6 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi S6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi S6 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi S6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi S6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi S6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi S6 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi S6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi S6 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi S6 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 135 | 93.3% | 38,926 | 58,879 | 77,544 |
| 2013 | 268 | 90.3% | 49,980 | 71,576 | 91,766 |
| 2012 | 102 | 91.2% | 33,940 | 57,485 | 76,786 |
| 2010 | 89 | 93.3% | 48,952 | 66,934 | 80,129 |
| 2009 | 72 | 83.3% | 47,922 | 62,798 | 86,834 |
| 2008 | 471 | 79.2% | 54,204 | 81,074 | 104,323 |
| 2007 | 811 | 78.8% | 47,753 | 77,012 | 102,506 |
| 2006 | 1,199 | 79.6% | 59,394 | 89,269 | 116,783 |
| 2003 | 164 | 73.2% | 70,166 | 112,160 | 143,231 |
| 2002 | 280 | 70.0% | 70,833 | 101,080 | 129,587 |
| 2001 | 301 | 71.1% | 79,616 | 109,174 | 141,437 |
| 2000 | 668 | 71.3% | 94,061 | 121,217 | 143,513 |
| 1997 | 81 | 72.8% | 113,751 | 126,539 | 140,653 |
| 1996 | 152 | 69.1% | 103,650 | 122,266 | 144,022 |
| 1995 | 93 | 64.5% | 113,968 | 152,565 | 188,438 |
How Long Does a Audi S6 Last?
Based on 399 Audi S6 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi S6 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi S6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi S6
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.3% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
64.5% MOT pass rate from 93 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi S6 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.3% across 89 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi S6 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S6 THIS CAR | 78.0% | 5,068 | 91,008 mi | 31 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 |
| Hyundai I10 Premium | 93.1% | 2,307 | 38,402 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi S6 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi S6 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi S6Should you buy a used Audi S6?
The Audi S6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.0% across 5,068 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 S6 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (111 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (75), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (71). 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 S6 owner drives around 5,549 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 S6 models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.