2020 Audi A6 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Audi A6 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Audi A6 diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Coil springs40× usual
  Audi A6

  4% All 2020 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Windscreen2× usual
  Audi A6

  3.2% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 2020 Audi A6 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Audi A6 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  24% 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
  12% 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
  5% 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.

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2020 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.

• Electrical and infotainment faults

  All engines

  It came last of 24 executive cars in What Car?'s survey: 44% had a fault, about two-thirds electrical or infotainment (phones not connecting, flickering screens), and nearly half took over a week to fix.

  At the viewing: Connect your phone, use the screens, and check every electrical item.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A6 (2018 on) reliability

• Rattles and trim buzzes

  All engines

  Rattling parcel shelves and buzzing trim are reported.

  At the viewing: Drive on a rough road and listen.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A6 (2018 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Audi A6 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. What has been fixed under warranty, and has the software been updated?
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 40× as often on the 2020 Audi A6 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2020 Audi A6 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?