Front multi-link control arms
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Knocking, vague steering, uneven tyre wear
Fix: Replace the arm kit (8 arms)
€300–700
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Audi A6 (C7)
2011–2018
4
engines covered
23
known faults
78,365
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
15
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Audi A6 (C7) was built from 2011 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 23 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain wear: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €3,000–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (7.2 %), lights, wipers and visibility (4.4 %), suspension (3.3 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI CR (EA189) | Diesel | Belt · 180,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~4.3 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.4 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA288) | Diesel | Belt · 210,000 km / every 120 mo | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~4.3–4.6 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6 | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~6.0–8.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · VW 504.00 / 502.00 · ~4.6–5.7 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Instrument cluster / display pixels
usually 120,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Missing pixels in the display
Fix: Repair the cluster
€150–350
Faults by engine
1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI CR (EA189)
EGR valve / cooler clogging
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, loss of power, EGR fault codes
Fix: Clean or replace EGR valve; check cooler
€250–700
DPF clogging
usually 90,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF warning, frequent regenerations; worse on short trips
Fix: Forced regeneration, cleaning or replacement
€150–1,500
Emissions software recall
usually 0–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Affects 2009–2015 EA189 diesels
Fix: Confirm the emissions update was done (free at dealer)
free / recall
Timing belt tensioner and water pump
usually 150,000–210,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine from belt area, coolant weep
Fix: Replace together with the belt kit
€450–800
Oil pump hex drive shaft (2.0 TDI with balance shafts)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
engine codes: CAGA, CAGB, CAGC, CAHA, CAHB, CGLA
Signs: Sudden loss of oil pressure — mostly Audi A4 / A5 / A6 / Q5
Fix: Replace the oil pump drive preventively
€700–1,500
High-pressure fuel pump (Bosch CP4.1)
usually 150,000–280,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Metal debris in the fuel system — expensive if it fails; rarer with EU diesel
Fix: Quality fuel, fuel filter on time; replace pump and flush system
€1,500–4,000
Injector leak-off / wear
usually 160,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Hard start, rough idle, smoke
Fix: Leak-off test; replace injectors
€700–1,600
1.4 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA288)
EGR cooler leak or clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss without visible leak, EGR codes
Fix: Replace EGR cooler
€600–1,200
DPF clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF light, regeneration every few days
Fix: Longer motorway drives, cleaning or replacement
€150–1,500
Water pump leak
usually 140,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant smell, pink crust near the pump
Fix: Replace, ideally with the timing belt
€250–450
2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6
Timing chain wear
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle at rear of engine
Fix: Replace chains (gearbox off)
€3,000–5,000
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€400–1,800
1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888)
Water pump / thermostat housing leak
usually 70,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating warning
Fix: Replace the pump + thermostat module
€400–800
PCV valve failure
usually 60,000–120,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Whistle at idle, lean codes, oil leaks
Fix: Replace PCV / oil separator
€100–250
Carbon build-up on intake valves
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, misfires (direct injection)
Fix: Walnut blasting
€300–600
Timing chain tensioner (pre-2013)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on start; early engines only
Fix: Upgraded tensioner and chain
€1,000–2,000
Excessive oil consumption (Gen 2, 2008–2012)
usually 60,000–180,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2012 only
Signs: Needs 0.5–1 L per 1,000 km, blue smoke, sooty plugs
Fix: Oil consumption test; updated pistons and rings
€2,500–5,000
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Multitronic CVT (01J / 0AW)
Multitronic chain / clutch pack / control unit
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Judder pulling away, jerks, 'gearbox fault' limp mode
Fix: Fluid every 60,000 km; repair or exchange
€1,500–4,000
DSG / S tronic (wet clutch: DQ250 / DQ381 / DL501)
DCT mechatronic / solenoids
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh shifts
Fix: Repair; keep oil changes at 60,000 km
€800–2,000
Automatic (Aisin / ZF Tiptronic)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI CR (EA189) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 180,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 78,365 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.6 % | 1.4 % | 1.9 % | 2.3 % | 2.9 % | 2.9 % |
| Suspension | 1.2 % | 1.7 % | 3.3 % | 5.0 % | 6.5 % | 8.0 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.4 % | 0.8 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 2.9 % | 5.6 % | 7.2 % | 7.7 % | 8.2 % | 8.1 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 1.7 % | 3.0 % | 4.4 % | 6.2 % | 7.2 % | 9.5 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 1.0 % | 2.1 % | 2.5 % | 3.0 % | 3.2 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 1.3 % | 1.9 % | 2.3 % | 2.4 % | 3.6 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 169 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (15). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Replacing Takata passenger airbag04/04/2024 · R/2024/158
- Fuel system The fuel gauge may not show the drop in fuel level correctly during vehicle operation20/01/2023 · R/2023/027
- High voltage / charging The mesh size of the oil strainer in the oil supply for both turbochargers is too small04/05/2022 · R/2022/132
- Airbag The front passenger airbag might not inflate fully in the event of an accident26/03/2021 · R/2021/117
- Electronics / software Moisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator02/10/2020 · R/2020/265
- Electronics / software Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator30/06/2020 · R/2020/138
- Steering The locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty03/06/2019 · R/2019/175
- Fuel system Fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails18/03/2019 · R/2019/099
The other recalls (7) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Audi A3 (8P) 2003–2012Audi A3 (8V) 2012–2020Audi A4 (B8) 2007–2015
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026