How much does a 2012 AUDI A6 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,707 (£142/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 AUDI A6?

The 2012 AUDI A6 has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 16,143 tests in 2026. This ranks 216 out of 685 cars from 2012.

Which year AUDI A6 is most reliable?

The 2020 AUDI A6 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 71%.

AUDI A6 (2012)

Q: Is the 2012 AUDI A6 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of AUDI A6s from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 16,143 tests. That's 4 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2012 AUDI A6?

The average mileage for a 2012 AUDI A6 is 125,550 miles, which is above the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 16,143 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1707/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1968cc14 years old16,143 tests126k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1968cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,707

Per month£142/mo

Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the AUDI brand average of 90%.

At 14 years old, 86% of AUDI A6s from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 16,143 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 125,550 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars216th of 685(top 32%)

Rank among AUDI models846th of 1,079(top 78%)

vs national average+4%(82% avg)

vs 2012 cars average+8%(78% avg)

vs AUDI average-4%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

125,550

Average miles

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 AUDI A6 has 125,550 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2012 sits between the two at 86%.

AUDI A6 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	93%	2,105	36,146 mi
2020	94%	3,470	42,761 mi
2019	92%	16,657	54,594 mi
2018	92%	16,546	62,634 mi
2017	91%	19,296	75,408 mi
2016	89%	26,437	85,249 mi
2015	89%	22,966	96,950 mi
2014	88%	21,808	106,355 mi
2013	87%	20,882	115,551 mi
2012	86%	16,143	125,550 mi
2011	82%	13,126	135,985 mi
2010	81%	12,471	143,668 mi
2009	81%	8,341	150,654 mi
2008	80%	11,124	156,627 mi
2007	79%	10,782	162,839 mi
2006	78%	6,542	165,663 mi
2005	78%	3,534	163,283 mi
2004	75%	2,156	155,383 mi
2003	74%	1,408	153,657 mi
2002	73%	771	164,916 mi
2001	78%	356	157,216 mi
2000	75%	389	150,802 mi
1999	73%	410	157,368 mi
1998	76%	222	151,701 mi
1997	71%	215	176,094 mi
1996	78%	316	189,126 mi
1995	76%	136	162,842 mi
1994	81%	53	140,857 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

87%

+1%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2013 · 1700cc Diesel

£1,727/year

79%

-7%

AUDI A3

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

86%

same

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2010 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

74%

-12%

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About the 2012 AUDI A6

The 2012 AUDI A6 is a premium with a 1968cc diesel engine. 16,143 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 125,550 miles at 14 years old, AUDI A6 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2012 AUDI A6 Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2012 AUDI A6?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 (£142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

AUDI A6 Reliability Trend

Newer AUDI A6s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2012 AUDI A6

At 14 years old, the AUDI A6 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 16,143 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 AUDI A6's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 126k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 AUDI A6 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
AUDI A6(2012)	86%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1707
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2014)	87%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£262
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)	79%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£20
AUDI A3(2014)	86%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£262
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2010)	74%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£112

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.