2002 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,860 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Audi A6, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.5% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.2% in the 150k+ group versus 16.7% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 694 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 447 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 419 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 345 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.1% | 197 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 192 |
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 | 385 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 255 |
| 3 | Joints | 249 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 228 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 174 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 168 |
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 | 39.1% | 1,508 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.2% | 1,398 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.3% | 1,015 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 762 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 618 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 586 |
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 | 42 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 233 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 596 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 872 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,110 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,543 | 29.2% |
| Petrol | 1,317 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,266 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 969 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 705 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 533 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 387 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 A6
Before buying a 2002 Audi A6, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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.
- Suspension (10.8% 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.
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 2002 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 3,860 2002 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Audi A6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 2002 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,860 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.