2012 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
48,548 MOT tests on the 2012 Audi A6 are in this dataset, and 85.1% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 18.4% of the time, so this is 3.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (5.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 2,286 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.3% in the 0-30k band and 16.4% in the 150k+ band, a 10.1-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.0pp more often than petrol ones (15.0% vs 10.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 2,954 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.5% | 2,644 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 2,525 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 1,150 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,031 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 861 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 2,286 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,658 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,355 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,183 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 718 |
| 6 | Wipers | 683 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.4% | 12,324 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 8,242 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.8% | 7,161 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.4% | 4,063 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 2,555 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 1,331 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 189 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,204 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 9,240 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 15,093 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 12,311 | 15.4% |
| 150k+ | 9,498 | 16.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 47,643 | 15.0% |
| Petrol | 870 | 10.0% |
| Hybrid | 35 | 0.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,228 | 13.8% |
| 2022 | 10,098 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 9,836 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 9,430 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 8,956 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 A6
On a 2012 A6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (5.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2012 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
85.1% of the 48,548 2012 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Audi A6?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (5.5%).
Does the 2012 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 16.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 48,548 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.