2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Audi A6 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,022 MOT tests in 2024. 61.3% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time61.3%
Failed or needed repairs38.7%
Typical mileage at test150,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,022 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.3%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.4%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.2%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.9%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.5%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.4%
  9. Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit2.4%
  10. Rear fog lamp: not working2.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics26.9%
  2. Brakes19.6%
  3. Suspension17.4%
  4. Body & chassis10.6%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.2%
  6. Tyres7.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.7%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.4%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Audi A6?

In 2024, 61.3% of 2004 Audi A6 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,022 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Audi A6?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Audi A6 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).