Audi A6 (2008)

11,305 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.3% first-time pass rate

2008 Audi A6

CarHunch analysed 11,305 real MOT records for the 2008 Audi A6. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2008 Audi A6 diesel passes its MOT at 79.2%, virtually matching the UK average of 80%, but here's the real concern: 42.3% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and suggests structural or safety issues that demand careful inspection before purchase. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 81% pass rate, though the diesel dominance in this cohort (95% of analysed vehicles) means your options are limited if you want to avoid that higher risk profile.

With a median mileage of 107,322 miles for a 16-year-old car, these A6s are running roughly in line with age expectations, but the average of 3.38 failures per test and notably high advisory count of 19.7 items indicate persistent wear and maintenance demands. Before buying, insist on a pre-purchase inspection that specifically flags suspension, brake, and electrical systems—the typical weak points flagged in advisories—and budget accordingly for repairs that are likely imminent.

Below average reliability In line with UK average
79.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
107,322
typical mileage
86,677–129,860 middle half
42.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.38
avg MOT failures per car
over 15.2 tests on record

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 1.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

81%
Petrol
578 vehicles
79.2%
Diesel
10,725 vehicles

What to check before buying a 2008 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.
  • ⚠️ 42.3% 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.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (95%) 10,725 79.2% 3.4
Petrol (5%) 578 81% 3.07
Electric (0%) 1 88.2% 2
LPG (0%) 1 69.2% 4

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 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.

86,677
low mileage
107,322
typical
129,860
high mileage

Half of all 2008 Audi A6 vehicles fall between 86,677 and 129,860 miles.

2008 Audi A6 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 4,496 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).

10,339 4,496 2014 2025

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

15.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.38
Avg failures per vehicle
19.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Audi A6

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 66.6%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 61.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 59.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 54.9%
    Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
  • 40.4%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 40%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 39.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 38.9%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. 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.

UK

Other model years — Audi A6:

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021