Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi A6 Avant estate (2011-2018) - Reliability & safety

The Audi A6 Avant uses tried-and-tested components from other models in the range

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

While BMW 5 Series owners tend to be more satisfied with their car, the Audi A6 still has an excellent reputation for reliability and comes with plenty of safety equipment. This, along with excellent crash-test scores, means it’s a very safe place to be.

Audi A6 Avant reliability

The Audi A6 range was rated average for reliability in our 2017 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK. Of the owners who responded, 15.7% reported experiencing a problem with their car at least once.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Interior comfort, practicality and space were the areas in which owners hold the A6 in highest regard, while fuel consumption and high running costs came in for rather more criticism.

So, while the A6 isn't a stand-out performer, there’s no reason to doubt its reliability too much, given Audi’s well deserved reputation for build quality. All components and engines used across the range are tried and tested, including the seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, which has proven to be reliable in other models, such as the Audi A4 saloon and Audi A8 limousine.

No major faults have been reported so far and Audi dealers have an excellent reputation. This should soothe fears that the three-year warranty isn’t as generous as some rivals’.

Safety

Like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, the Audi A6 secured the full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash safety tests. It scored an impressive 91% for adult occupant protection and 83% for child protection.

All models have six airbags and electronic stability control as standard, along with an anti-theft alarm and Audi’s Parking System Plus. Optional safety extras such as lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear side airbags are also available.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    40 TDI Quattro Sport 5dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £53,945

Most Economical

  • Name
    40 TDI Quattro Sport 5dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £53,945

Fastest

  • Name
    S6 TDI Quattro Black Edition 5dr Tip Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £76,495

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Audi A6 Avant arrives! Petrol and diesel engines live on in spacious estate
Audi A6 Avant dynamic front quarter
News
4 Mar 2025

New Audi A6 Avant arrives! Petrol and diesel engines live on in spacious estate

All-new Audi A6 e-tron costs from £69k, 463-mile range
Audi S6 e-tron front quarter
News
9 Sep 2024

All-new Audi A6 e-tron costs from £69k, 463-mile range

Have You Considered

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
30 Jan 2025

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

Jaguar XF Sportbrake review (2017-2024)
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
In-depth reviews
6 Nov 2024

Jaguar XF Sportbrake review (2017-2024)

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 coming soon with hot GTi version under consideration
Peugeot 208 GTi render front quarter
News
10 Mar 2025

New Peugeot 208 coming soon with hot GTi version under consideration

New Renault Clio to lean into “future icon” design, but EV version off the table
Renault Clio render front quarter
News
5 Mar 2025

New Renault Clio to lean into “future icon” design, but EV version off the table

New BMW iX3 undergoes scorching shakedown ahead of 2025 reveal
BMW iX3 prototype front quarter
News
11 Mar 2025

New BMW iX3 undergoes scorching shakedown ahead of 2025 reveal

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

The 10 best electric cars in 2025
Bets electric cars 2025
Best cars
31 Jan 2025

The 10 best electric cars in 2025

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025
Best cheap to run cars
Best cars
8 Jan 2025

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025
Fastest hot hatchbacks 2025
Best cars
22 Jan 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025