Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI reliable?

Based on MOT data from 662 vehicles, the 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Audi A6 S Line TDI (2012)

662 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.3% first-time pass rate

2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI

CarHunch analysed 662 real MOT records for the 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI has a first-time pass rate of just 59%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which signals real reliability concerns for this model year. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually absent (0%), but with 0.42 average failures per vehicle, you're looking at a car that typically needs repairs to pass its MOT.

At 115,000 miles median, this A6 is showing expected mileage for its age, so the high failure rate isn't simply wear-and-tear running ahead of schedule. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the specific failure patterns affecting this generation—likely suspension, emissions, or brake components—because one in two of these cars will need work on MOT day.

The 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (90.3% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

First-time pass

90.3%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.42

Over 4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

115k

Middle half: 96k–132k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 90.3% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

These stats describe 662 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 662 Audi A6 S Line TDI cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI

Based on MOT data from 662 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	660	90.3%	0.42

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,179 Audi A6 S Line TDI vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 30%

653

Black 30%

653

White 19.7%

430

Silver 12%

261

Blue 6%

131

Red 2.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

114,603

typical

96,335

low mileage

132,277

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI vehicles fall between 96,335 and 132,277 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 96,335 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 96,335–132,277 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDIs sit.

⚠ Over 178,573 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI — Still on the Road

Almost all 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDIs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 310 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.42

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi A6 S Line TDI: All A6 S Line TDI years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2007 2008 2011 2013 2014

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Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Audi A6 S Line TDI stacks up against a rival.

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