2005 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,073 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Audi A6, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.7% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.4% in the 150k+ group versus 16.9% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 2,391 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 1,346 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 1,077 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,018 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 714 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 678 |
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 | 1,379 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 981 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 664 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 625 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 548 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 435 |
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 | 35.9% | 5,405 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 4,463 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.1% | 4,240 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 3,372 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 2,180 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.4% | 1,570 |
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 | 201 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 801 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,183 | 22.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,348 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 8,503 | 24.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 12,358 | 23.8% |
| Petrol | 2,715 | 21.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,487 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 3,765 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 2,946 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 2,196 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 1,679 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 A6
Before buying a 2005 Audi A6, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests for this year.
- 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 (8.9% 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 (7.1% 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 2005 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 15,073 2005 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Audi A6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2005 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 30-60k band to 24.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,073 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.