Audi

Audi Rs6 (2004)

117 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.6% first-time pass rate

2004 Audi Rs6

CarHunch analysed 117 real MOT records for the 2004 Audi Rs6. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Audi RS6 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.5%, which is respectable, but one in four owners will encounter a dangerous defect at some point—a notably high figure that demands careful pre-purchase inspection and service history review. This is a high-performance machine, and that complexity shows in the data: owners face nearly 3 failures per test and almost 19 advisories, suggesting ongoing maintenance costs will be steeper than a standard saloon.

At nearly 80,000 miles median, these cars have been driven hard but not run into the ground, yet the sheer volume of advisory items hints at wear on ageing performance components—turbos, suspension, brakes, and electronics all accumulate issues. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection by an Audi specialist focus specifically on turbocharger condition, suspension geometry, and fuel system integrity, as these are where your repair bills will bite deepest.

We have limited data for the 2004 Audi Rs6 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
81.6%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
26.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
2.99
Over 15.1 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
80k
Middle half: 59k–96k
For context

These stats describe 117 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 117 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 71.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Other issues 49.6%
Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · …
Brake wear 42.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 23.7%
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 117 Audi Rs6 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2004 Audi Rs6

Based on MOT data from 117 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.5% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Audi Rs6 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.

79,735
typical
58,964
low mileage
95,555
high mileage

Half of all 2004 Audi Rs6 vehicles fall between 58,964 and 95,555 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 58,964 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.
58,964–95,555 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Audi Rs6s sit.
Over 128,999 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Audi Rs6 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 51% of 2004 Audi Rs6s are still active.

45 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 51% of the peak remain.

86 45 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

15.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.99
Avg failures per vehicle
18.8
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Audi Rs6: All Rs6 years → Which year to buy? →
2003 2008 2009 2014

Or browse all models: Audi →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Audi Rs6 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing