2017 Audi A6 3.0L Diesel · BN17 WPL

A clean and uninterrupted run of five consecutive MOT passes from 2022 through to the most recent test on 26 March 2026, with no advisories or defects recorded at any point, places this 2017 Audi A6 in a strong roadworthiness bracket for its age. A nine-year-old executive saloon passing three annual tests in a row with no recorded items at all is uncommon, particularly given the mileage on the odometer, and it suggests the car has not developed any component failures or developing defects that an MOT inspector has considered worthy of comment during routine examination. The stability of the record, with no deterioration in pass quality and no advisory creep between tests, indicates that the wear-sensitive items typically called out on high-mileage vehicles have not yet crossed DVSA thresholds. For a prospective buyer, this track record is the most reassuring element of the file and forms a solid baseline against which to judge the car in person. The mileage stands at 115,196 miles across nine years, equating to approximately 12,800 miles per year on average, which is notably high for a car of this age and segment. Annual mileage on a premium executive saloon is more commonly in the 8,000 to 10,000 mile range, so this A6 has covered roughly thirty to fifty per cent more ground than typical. Mechanically, higher accumulation rates accelerate wear on consumable and chassis components alike, including brake discs and pads, front and rear suspension bushes and wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar links, drive belts, and the dual-clutch or automatic transmission service items. There are no gaps in the testing record and no evidence of prolonged standing, so corrosion is unlikely to have been promoted by lay-up, but the high annualised usage means a buyer should reasonably expect mid-life wear on suspension and braking components rather than the low-mileage presentation that a 2017 plate might otherwise imply. Despite the absence of flagged items on the MOT record, a test drive should still focus on the components most likely to show their age on a high-mileage Audi A6. On the move, listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven tarmac, which would point to worn control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or top mount bearings, and feel for any vagueness or rattle through the steering wheel on rough surfaces that could indicate worn tie rod ends or front strut deflection. Apply the brakes firmly from around forty miles per hour and check for judder through the pedal, which on these cars is most often caused by warped front discs rather than pad wear, and listen for any grinding or scraping that might suggest pad material depleted to backing plate. Cold pedal feel and firm first application matter on this platform, as soft or inconsistent response can hint at seized caliper slide pins or a failing servo. Equally important is a thorough static inspection to compensate for what the MOT history does not capture. With twelve to thirteen thousand miles a year, the tyres are likely to be on their third or fourth set and should be checked for uneven shoulder wear, which on an A6 often points to alignment drift from worn rear suspension bushes or a tired thrust arm. Inspect the engine bay for any oil residue around the cam chain tensioner area, turbo oil feed lines, and the rocker cover gasket, as these are known seepage points on the higher-output petrol and diesel engines fitted to this generation. Examine the underbody and wheel arches for any corrosion that may be developing ahead of the next MOT, paying particular attention to the front subframe, brake pipe unions, and the exhaust downpipe flange. Finally, confirm the service history matches the mileage, with particular attention to the timing belt or chain interval, transmission fluid change, and recent brake fluid renewal, as a clean MOT record on a high-mileage car is only as reassuring as the maintenance that supports it.