2011 Audi A6 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

Common 2011 Audi A6 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Audi A6 petrol 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.

• Brakes
  20% 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.

• Suspension
  19% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Seats and seatbelts
  6% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2011 Audi A6 petrol

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)

• 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 2011 Audi A6 petrol

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. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?