2016 Audi A6 2.0L Diesel · PA63 RMS

A discernible pattern of wear-related advisories has emerged on this 2016 Audi A6 over the last two test cycles, pointing to consumables and suspension components now reaching the back end of their service life. The most recent examination on 20 May 2026 produced a Pass, but it carried three advisories: a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, rear brake pads wearing thin, and rear brake discs showing wear though not excessively. The preceding test on 20 May 2025 also passed but recorded a worn nearside rear suspension arm pin or bush alongside pitted rear brake discs. The earlier tests in 2024, 2023, and 2022 were returned clean with no advisories, so the trend is one of gradually accumulating wear rather than a sudden deterioration, but the cluster of rear brake and rear suspension items appearing in successive years suggests those areas warrant close physical scrutiny before purchase. Recorded mileage stands at 108,339 miles across an approximately ten-year life, equating to a fairly typical annual accumulation of around 10,800 miles per year. The mileage progression between annual tests is broadly consistent with normal commuting and leisure use, and there are no extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest a prolonged period off the road. There is no mileage anomaly such as a sudden jump or a discrepancy between readings, so usage from the records alone appears steady. Mechanically, an A6 covering this kind of distance can be expected to have wear on items beyond those flagged in the MOT, including engine oil seals, coolant hoses, dual-mass flywheel or torque converter behaviour, and electrical modules, and these should be evaluated through a separate pre-purchase inspection rather than inferred from the DVSA history alone. For the rear suspension flagged in 2025, the nearside rear arm bush or pin wear should be evaluated by listening for clonks or knocks from the rear axle on uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and potholes, and by checking for any vagueness in rear wheel location under load. A bouncy or unsettled ride quality from the rear, or any sense that the back end shifts laterally during direction changes, would suggest the bush has progressed beyond advisory tolerance. Inspect the rear arm bushes visually for cracking, splitting, or excessive play when the wheel is levered up, and remember that Audi multi-link rear suspensions can mask moderate wear on test so a physical check is worthwhile. The fact that the same area was not re-flagged in 2026 could indicate replacement or simply that the wear remained below the advisory threshold, so do not assume the component has been renewed. The braking items appearing across both recent tests deserve particular attention on a test drive. With rear pads noted as wearing thin and discs showing wear or pitting in successive years, expect to feel reduced bite from the rear under firm pedal pressure and listen for any grinding or scraping noise that would indicate pad material is now approaching the backing plate. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive without excessive travel, and any pulsation through the pedal under braking would confirm the pitted rear discs are distorting under heat. The nearside front tyre worn close to the limit and on its edge warrants a check of the front suspension geometry, as inner or outer edge wear on a single tyre often points to worn front wishbone or track rod components rather than simply a tracking issue, both of which are common wear items on an A6 of this age and mileage.