MOT performance
Audi A6 C7 (2011–2018): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 142,338 MOT tests on the Audi A6 C7 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered May 2011–Apr 2018, on average 8.4 years old at test), 82.1% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the C7 failed 40% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the C8, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.60× vs 0.62×).
142,338 MOT tests on 71,657 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 82.1% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 142,338 |
| All Audi A6s | 79.0% | n = 256,000 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.60× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Audi A6 overall 0.66× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.5% | n = 142,338 |
| Average age at test | 8.4 years | n = 142,338 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2011–2018 | Mar 2011 to Jun 2018 |
C7 against the other Audi A6 generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C7 (2011–2018) | 142,338 | 8.4 yrs | 82.1% | -40% | 6.5% |
| C8 (2018–2025) | 35,137 | 3.5 yrs | 89.8% | -38% | 4.7% |
Where the C7 differs
- Steering: the C7 failed 53% less often than the Audi A6 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.10× vs 0.22×).
- Lights, reflectors and electrical: the C7 failed 33% less often than the Audi A6 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.34× vs 0.50×).
| Area | C7 (vs similar) | C8 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.9% (-8%) | 5.7% (+4%) |
| Suspension | 4.0% (-57%) | 0.7% (-53%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.7% (-66%) | 1.0% (-77%) |
| Brakes | 2.1% (-70%) | 1.4% (-58%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.0% (-52%) | 1.0% (-73%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.9% (-35%) | 0.2% (-71%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% (-34%) | 1.0% (-30%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% (-30%) | 0.3% (-29%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+10%) | 0.4% (+36%) |
| Road wheels | 0.4% (-22%) | 0.2% (-26%) |
| Steering | 0.2% (-90%) | 0.0% (-95%) |
Most common Audi A6 C7 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.01% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.41% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.36% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.34% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 1.34% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | C7 pass rate (tests) | C8 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 90.0% (1,368) | 89.8% (23,213) |
| 5-6 | 86.7% (27,411) | 88.6% (5,441) |
| 7-8 | 83.9% (46,604) | — |
| 9-10 | 80.0% (41,304) | — |
| 11-12 | 77.1% (24,328) | — |
| 13-15 | 72.6% (1,323) | — |
Registration years in the C7
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the C7 (Mar 2011 to Jun 2018). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Audi A6 C7
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.