2007 Audi A6 2.0L Diesel · RO57 SZX

The defining mechanical story of this 2007 Audi A6 is one of persistent electronic warning lamp faults combined with chronic brake and tyre wear, with the 2024 test recording a pass on 13 February but accompanied by advisories that closely mirror those flagged in earlier years. Three of the five recorded tests have resulted in failure, with two of those failures (2021 and 2022) and the failed attempt at the 2023 test all citing an inoperative or malfunctioning engine management indicator lamp (MIL) alongside an electronic stability control warning lamp fault. The recurrence of these two specific defects across consecutive test cycles suggests an unresolved underlying issue with the engine management system, emissions monitoring, or associated sensors and wiring rather than isolated bulb or intermittent faults. Both the stop lamp and rear position lamp failures noted in 2022 and 2023, including a centre-of-lamp failure in 2022 and a multiple light source failure in 2023, point to either aged lamp assemblies or wiring/connector issues that warrant further investigation before purchase. With 188,764 miles recorded over approximately 19 years, the vehicle has averaged around 9,935 miles annually, which is broadly consistent with typical usage for its age and means consumable wear should be expected at or near normal service intervals. The mileage gap between the 2020 test and earlier records is not documented, but the consistent year-on-year testing from 2020 onwards indicates the car has remained in regular active use throughout the recent period. At this accumulated mileage, drivetrain, suspension, and braking components will have undergone significant wear cycles, and the chronic advisories on brake discs, tyres, and brake balance are entirely consistent with the mechanical demands placed on a vehicle of this age and distance covered. The advisories relating to front and rear brake discs being pitted or scored, repeated across the 2021, 2023, and 2024 tests, indicate that the discs have not been replaced and the corrosion/pitting has progressed gradually rather than being rectified. On a test drive, the prospective buyer should listen for any grinding or pulsation through the brake pedal, particularly under firm application from higher speeds, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel which would suggest disc runout beyond acceptable limits. The rear brake imbalance advisory from 2022, combined with fluctuating service brake readings on the front in 2024, should prompt a check of the rear caliper mechanisms, handbrake adjustment, and potentially the electronic parking brake actuator which is known to seize on Audi platforms of this era. Inspect the rear tyres specifically for uneven inner-edge wear, as the offside rear tyre worn close to legal limit advisory has appeared in three consecutive tests, suggesting a possible tracking or suspension geometry issue that has not been addressed. The recurring electronic stability control warning lamp faults, alongside the engine MIL issues, require particular scrutiny before committing to purchase. Request that the vehicle be driven with the ignition on and engine running so all warning lamps can be verified as extinguishing, and where possible obtain a diagnostic scan (VCDS or equivalent) to identify any stored fault codes relating to ABS wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensor, yaw rate sensor, or the engine management system. The 2021 wiper failure, the headlamp lens defects noted in 2024, and the various lamp failures all suggest an ageing electrical system where connectors oxidise and bulbs fail intermittently, so a thorough check of all exterior lighting and wiper operation is essential. Finally, given the high mileage and the brake and suspension components flagged, a raised inspection on a ramp to examine the front suspension arms, anti-roll bar links, drop links, and lower control arm bushes for play or perished rubber would be advisable, as these parts typically require replacement on high-mileage Audi A6 vehicles and would not necessarily be flagged at MOT level until wear becomes pronounced.