Audi A6 (2003)
2003 Audi A6
CarHunch analysed 7,911 real MOT records for the 2003 Audi A6. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Audi A6 passes its MOT first time only 74.1% of the time, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 30% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects—a serious concern for any prospective buyer. Diesel variants fare slightly worse at 73.4% pass rate compared to petrol at 76.4%, suggesting the diesel engines are accumulating more problems by this age.
At around 113,800 miles median, these cars are carrying typical wear for their age, but they're failing heavily on non-critical items with an average of 20.7 advisories each—pointing to ageing trim, minor electrics, and suspension play rather than catastrophic issues. If you're considering one, factor in repair costs and insist on a full service history; the dangerous defect rate alone means a thorough pre-purchase inspection from a specialist is non-negotiable.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2003 Audi A6
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 29.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Audi A6
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (78%) | 6,163 | 73.4% | 4.4 |
| Petrol (22%) | 1,740 | 76.5% | 3.82 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 71.8% | 5.6 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 73.1% | 7 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 75% | 3 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Audi A6 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Audi A6 vehicles fall between 91,670 and 137,583 miles.
2003 Audi A6 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 545 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Audi A6
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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76.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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73.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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69.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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65.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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51.4%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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33.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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33.3%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi A6?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.