1999 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,291 MOT tests on the 1999 Audi A6 are in this dataset, and 72.1% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 23.3% of the time, so this is 4.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 12.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 101 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 30.8% versus 25.2%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 205 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 162 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.8% | 127 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 125 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 85 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.0% | 78 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 101 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 95 |
| 3 | Joints | 94 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 91 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 68 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 56 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.7% | 435 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.7% | 422 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 353 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 25.2% | 325 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 272 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 229 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 131 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 224 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 714 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 912 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 379 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 418 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 315 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 242 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 172 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 144 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 1999 A6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 1,291 1999 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Audi A6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 1999 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.2% in the 60-90k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,291 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.