2000 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Audi A6 passed 74.3% of its 1,767 recorded MOT tests. Against executive cars of a similar age (23.7% fail rate), the 2000 A6 comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests against 9.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 134 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.8% in the 30-60k band and 27.2% in the 150k+ band, a 5.3-point spread.
The diesel cars hold up better: 24.4% fail against 26.4% for petrol, a 2.0-point gap across 1,767 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.1% in 2021 to 25.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 267 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 174 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 161 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 154 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 97 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 88 |
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 | 134 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 116 |
| 3 | Joints | 112 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 100 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 92 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 73 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.1% | 603 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.2% | 569 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.2% | 462 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.2% | 410 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 308 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 299 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 55 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 198 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 312 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 357 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 832 | 27.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,209 | 26.4% |
| Diesel | 558 | 24.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 557 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 413 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 324 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 252 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 221 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 A6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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 (9.1% 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 2000 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 1,767 2000 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Audi A6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2000 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 30-60k band to 27.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,767 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.