2023 Audi A6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Audi A6 passed 97.7% of its 1,049 recorded MOT tests. Against executive cars of a similar age (5.3% fail rate), the 2023 A6 comes out 3.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.1%) and tyres (1.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 29 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 1.8% in the 0-30k band and 7.6% in the 90-120k band, a 5.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 8.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 22 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.9% | 20 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 11 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.3% | 3 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 14 |
| 3 | Washers | 10 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 6 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 3 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
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 | 8.1% | 85 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.5% | 16 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.1% | 12 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.8% | 8 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 388 | 1.8% |
| 30-60k | 339 | 1.5% |
| 60-90k | 199 | 2.5% |
| 90-120k | 92 | 7.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 828 | 1.9% |
| Diesel | 116 | 3.5% |
| Petrol | 105 | 3.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34 | 2.9% |
| 2024 | 390 | 1.0% |
| 2025 | 625 | 3.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 A6
On a 2023 A6, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.9% 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.
- Visibility (1.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2023 Audi A6s pass their MOT?
97.7% of the 1,049 2023 Audi A6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 2.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Audi A6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.1% of tests, followed by tyres (1.9%).
Does the 2023 A6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 1.8% in the 0-30k band to 7.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,049 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.