2009 Audi RS6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Audi RS6 passed 89.8% of its 481 recorded MOT tests. That is 11.6 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.4%) and suspension (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 10 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 RS6 fails 5.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 9.2% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 17.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 21 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.1% | 15 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.7% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 12 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 8 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 5 |
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 | 10 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 7 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 6 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 6 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 5 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 5 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.5% | 84 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.6% | 80 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.0% | 77 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 44 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.2% | 25 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 23 |
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 | 38 | 5.3% |
| 60-90k | 175 | 9.1% |
| 90-120k | 166 | 12.7% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 9.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 99 | 5.1% |
| 2022 | 97 | 10.3% |
| 2023 | 97 | 13.4% |
| 2024 | 98 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 90 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 RS6
On a 2009 RS6, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.1% 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.
- Tyres (2.7% 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.
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 2009 Audi RS6s pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 481 2009 Audi RS6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi RS6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by suspension (3.1%).
Does the 2009 RS6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.3% in the 30-60k band to 9.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 481 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.