2013 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 61,043 MOT tests, the 2013 Audi A6 recorded an 86.0% pass rate. That is 3.0 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 16.9%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.4%) and suspension (4.6%) 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 2,821 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 15.7% in the 150k+ band, a 7.2-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 8.7% fail against 14.1% for diesel, a 5.4-point gap across 60,966 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 3,901 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.6% | 2,797 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 2,654 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 1,355 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,256 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 818 |
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 | 2,821 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,824 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,385 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 995 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 908 |
| 6 | Wipers | 730 |
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 | 24.8% | 15,122 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 9,351 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.8% | 8,431 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.0% | 4,896 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 3,199 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 1,380 |
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 | 305 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 4,735 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 16,273 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 19,594 | 14.0% |
| 120-150k | 12,361 | 15.4% |
| 150k+ | 7,766 | 15.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 59,916 | 14.1% |
| Petrol | 1,050 | 8.7% |
| Hybrid | 74 | 8.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,613 | 12.9% |
| 2022 | 12,330 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 12,346 | 14.4% |
| 2024 | 12,144 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 11,610 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 A6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 (4.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% 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 2013 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 61,043 2013 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Audi A6?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by suspension (4.6%).
Does the 2013 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 15.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 61,043 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.