2008 Audi A6 2.0L Diesel · 1000 KY

A documented dangerous defect on both rear tyres in early 2020, together with a major failure for significantly worn front brake discs, stands as the most serious item in this Audi A6's MOT history and remains the defining mechanical reference for the vehicle. Following that failure, the car returned to the test station roughly twelve months later and passed cleanly, with three further passes recorded over 2022, 2023, and 2024 without advisories. The most recent test on 19 November 2025 resulted in a pass, with the only entry being a minor windscreen chip that was not judged to obstruct the driver's view. The trajectory since the 2020 failure is therefore one of stable roadworthiness, although the underlying cause of the brake and tyre issues cannot be confirmed from MOT data alone and a prospective buyer should not assume the front brake discs were replaced rather than just machined. The mileage record indicates broadly typical usage for an eighteen-year-old vehicle, with 114,325 miles recorded across eight tests spanning 2019 to 2025, equating to an average of roughly 6,350 miles per year. There is no extended period off the road, and the gaps between tests align with normal annual or biennial scheduling rather than a significant lay-up that could have caused deterioration through disuse. Mileage accumulation between tests appears reasonably consistent, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular rather than sporadic use. For a car of this age and mileage, the primary mechanical consequence of this usage profile is that wear-related components such as suspension bushes, shock absorbers, coil springs, and exhaust mountings will have experienced continuous working cycles rather than suffering from prolonged standing, which can otherwise lead to seized calipers, perished rubber, and flat-spotted tyres. Given the front brake disc failure in 2020 and the advisory on rear brake service requirements in 2021, particular attention should be paid to the braking system during a test drive. The vehicle should pull away smoothly and stop in a straight line without pulling to either side, and any vibration or judder felt through the steering wheel or brake pedal under firm application would suggest disc run-out or uneven wear, particularly if the 2020 discs were not renewed. The handbrake should hold the car on a moderate incline without excessive travel, as the 2021 advisory specifically noted that rear brake adjustment was borderline. Listen for any grinding or scraping from the front wheels when turning at low speed, which would point to worn or binding caliper slides, and inspect the inner and outer faces of all four discs through the wheel spokes for visible lipping, scoring, or a blueing discoloration indicative of overheating. The tyre history warrants careful inspection of all four corners, particularly as both rear tyres were deemed dangerous in 2020 and the nearside front was close to its legal limit on the same test. All four tyres should display consistent tread depth of at least 3mm across the full width, with no uneven wear patterns that might suggest a worn suspension bush, tracking misalignment, or a deteriorating shock absorber. Press each corner of the vehicle firmly downward and release; the body should rise once and settle without continuing to oscillate, as multiple bounces would indicate weakened damping. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces, which on an A6 of this age commonly points to worn front control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or top mount bearings, and check for any play in the steering before turning. Finally, inspect the windscreen chip noted in November 2025 to confirm it remains outside the driver's primary sightline and has not developed into a longer crack, as any subsequent impact could cause it to propagate and fail a future test.