2016 Audi A6 2.0L Diesel · RF66 DXX

The most recent DVSA examination on 14 October 2025 resulted in a pass, however the overall maintenance trend is showing clear signs of deterioration requiring close scrutiny. Just five days earlier the vehicle had failed on three major items, namely a Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicating an airbag or pretensioner fault, a malfunctioning Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and rear brake pads worn down to their wear indicator. While the advisory items carried over from that failed test, being front tyres worn on edge at 1.8mm and rear brake discs worn though not excessively, would suggest the remedial work undertaken to secure the pass was directed primarily at the safety failures rather than a comprehensive overhaul. Looking back through the history, the 2024 test recorded rear brake pads at 80 percent worn and a deteriorating nearside front outer CV joint boot, both of which indicate that consumable wear had been advancing steadily over the preceding twelve months. The trend therefore is one of accumulating wear rather than stable condition, and a prospective buyer should treat the recent pass as a minimum compliance threshold rather than evidence of overall mechanical soundness. With a recorded mileage of 73,884 miles over approximately ten years, this A6 is averaging around 7,388 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a premium executive saloon of its age. The MOT history does not reveal any obvious extended gaps in usage, with annual tests consistently recorded between 2020 and 2025, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service throughout its life. This steady annual accumulation implies that mechanical components have experienced normal wear progression rather than the accelerated degradation associated with high-mileage use or the standing-related deterioration linked to very low annual mileages. However, at this ten-year point and approaching the 74,000 mile mark, several age-related service intervals become increasingly relevant regardless of the moderate annual mileage, including timing belt or chain inspection depending on engine variant, coolant system renewal, and gearbox fluid condition on the automatic transmission. The recurring advisories for front tyres wearing on the edge at 1.8mm tread depth and rear brake disc wear warrant particular attention during a physical inspection and test drive. Edge wear on 255/35/20 profile tyres frequently points to misalignment, worn suspension components, or incorrect camber settings, and this concern is compounded by the advisory noting worn rear suspension arm pins or bushes. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, monitor for uneven or feathered tyre wear across the tread face, and check that the vehicle tracks straight without pulling. The rear brake disc wear advisory suggests the discs may be approaching their minimum thickness specification, so a thorough inspection should include measuring disc thickness with a micrometer and checking for lipping or scoring on the disc surface, as well as verifying that the calipers are releasing correctly without binding. Any pulsing or shuddering through the brake pedal during moderate deceleration would indicate disc warpage, which on a rear axle of this vehicle specification typically necessitates replacement rather than machining. Beyond the recorded defects, the supplementary restraint system warning lamp and tyre pressure monitoring system faults that caused the earlier failure demand professional diagnostic verification, as these systems involve electronic modules, sensors, and wiring that require specialist equipment to assess properly. The buyer should request evidence of what remedial work was carried out between the 9 October failure and the 14 October pass, ideally in the form of invoices or diagnostic printouts confirming the fault codes were cleared and the underlying issues resolved. Given the vehicle's age, a physical inspection should also encompass checks for tyre sidewall perishing and cracking typical of ten-year-old rubber regardless of remaining tread depth, the condition and state of charge of the 12V battery, brake fluid age and moisture content, and any signs of coolant leak from the plasticised components prone to degradation on older Audi engines. The service book should be examined for evidence of regular oil and filter changes at appropriate intervals, and where possible a compression test or oil analysis would provide reassurance regarding internal engine wear at this mileage level.