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Audi A6 vs Audi S3 sportback: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Audi A6
78%
MOT pass rate · 246,602 vehicles
Audi S3 sportback
89%
MOT pass rate · 5 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Audi A6 (78%) and Audi S3 sportback (89%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Audi A6 Audi S3 sportback
MOT pass rate 78% 89% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 11% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 0.3 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 136,441 mi 48,793 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 246,602 5

Most common faults

Audi A6

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Audi S3 sportback

  1. Central Front Items removed from driver's view prior to test air freshener
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))
  4. Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
  5. Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Audi A6 (78%) and Audi S3 sportback (89%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Audi A6 report Full Audi S3 sportback report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.