2020 Audi RS6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,041 MOT tests, the 2020 Audi RS6 recorded a 92.2% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (10.0% fail rate), the 2020 RS6 comes out 2.2pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and other defects.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests against 1.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — registration plates alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 RS6 fails 7.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 4.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 11.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.3% in 2023 to 6.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 123 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 24 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.1% | 22 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 19 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 33 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 17 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 8 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 7 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 6 |
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 | 11.8% | 240 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.5% | 71 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 69 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 47 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 6 |
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 | 1,234 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 760 | 7.9% |
| 60-90k | 41 | 4.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 689 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 688 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 644 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 RS6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Other defects (1.1% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
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 2020 Audi RS6s pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 2,041 2020 Audi RS6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi RS6?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2020 RS6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 4.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,041 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.