Audi A6 C8 (2018-present) reliability
Audi A6 C8 built around 2018: about average at the MOT
Audi A6 C8 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.
Looking at an Audi A6 C8?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Key figure
13% of MOT tests on Audi A6 C8 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.
Most common issue
The most common MOT issue on Audi A6 C8 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.
Based on 31,196 tests of A6 models registered 2018+.
About 1 in 12 diesel A6 cars registered in 2022 (8.9%) failed their first MOT.
Based on 1,111 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).
About 1 in 40 A6 C8 MOTs (2.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.
Based on 5,662 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.
About 1 in 20 A6 C8 MOTs (5.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).
Based on 5,662 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.
C8 fail rate by age
Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 7 years old.
How the A6 C8 compares
At each age below, see how the A6 C8 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.
Based on 171,464 tests across 16 Audi models, built around 2018 (7 years old).
Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.
What to check before viewing
The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.
Brake pads
High priorityAsk when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.
Brake discs
High priorityAsk for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.
Tyres
Worth checkingCheck tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.
Suspension bushes and joints
Worth checkingListen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.
Vehicle-specific check
Worth checkingCheck the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.
Other saloons to compare
Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the A6 C8.
- 1
Jaguar XE
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 15.2%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 2.6%
- Dangerous
- 6%
No clear edge over the Audi A6 C8 on these figures.
8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 2
Volvo S90
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 12.3%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 2.8%
- Dangerous
- 5.9%
No clear edge over the Audi A6 C8 on these figures.
2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 3
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 13.8%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 3.9%
- Dangerous
- 6.5%
No clear edge over the Audi A6 C8 on these figures.
2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 4
Jaguar XF
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 13.3%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 2.6%
- Dangerous
- 5.3%
- Still registered at 10 years
- 91.1%
More still registered at 10 years: 91%, against 79% for the Audi A6 C8.
10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.
6,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- Fail rate
- = the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- = the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
- Dangerous
- = the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
- Still registered at 10 years
- = the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.
Recall context
36 recalls in all15 of the 36 A6 C8 recalls cover cars built in these years.
- 2 Critical
- 13 more
Top concerns
- Software update for battery control unit
- Servicing high-voltage battery
- Belt buckle rivet missing
For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.
What has gone wrong on A6 C8 cars built around 2018
The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 544 cars.
Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)
Engine sizes across all diesel A6 tests (not specific to C8).
How A6 C8 cars have aged
How A6 C8 cars have aged
How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.
Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.
How each part holds up as C8 cars age
How each part holds up as C8 cars age
The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.
| Part of the car | 5 years | 6 years | 7 years | 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | No figure | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Brakes | 4% | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Emissions | No figure | 3% | 4% | 4% |
| Tyres | 15% | 20% | 21% | 23% |
| Lighting | 4% | 1% | 2% | 4% |
| Drivetrain | No figure | No figure | 2% | 4% |
| Corrosion | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 85 to 775 cars at each age.
C8 variants compared
A6 C8 variants built around 2018
The fail rate for each A6 C8 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.
Diesel
- A613.0%3,921 tests
Petrol
- A614.2%1,740 tests
Most common issues on Audi A6 models of this age
This list covers every Audi A6 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the C8 on its own.
Most common advisories and fails
In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one
- 119.5%Advisory
Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
- 28.3%Advisory
Brake pads wearing thin
- 37.4%Advisory
Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much
- 46.2%Advisory
Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing
- 54.3%Advisory
Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Based on 10,105 tests
Looking at an Audi A6 C8?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A6 C8 (2018-present) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 5,662 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.