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Audi A6 saloon (2011-2018) - Reliability & safety

The Audi A6 lives up to its reputation for superb build quality

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

The Audi A6 looks and feels like a well built, upmarket product. It also comes packed with safety features that were enough to secure it a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. They include powerful all-LED headlights fitted to all but the basic SE trim that fill the road with bright white light and automatically dip if they detect a car coming towards you.

Audi A6 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. It finished in 34th position out of 75 cars surveyed, with positive words from owners about engines, acceleration, interior style, equipment and finish, although the expense of dealer servicing and uninvolving handling were criticised.

Safety

You'd expect the A6 to be safe, and it is – the car comes with six airbags, seatbelt warning buzzers, tyre-pressure monitors and electronic stability control a standard. All that safety kit helped it score the maximum five stars when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP.

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Buyers can improve safety with optional extras such as the Technology Pack Advanced. At £3,265, it's pricey, but includes active cruise control (which can keep you a safe distance from the car in front), a blind-spot warning system and active lane-keeping assistance.

Another hi-tech option is night vision (£1,750), which helps you when driving at night by displaying a thermal image of what’s ahead. People or large animals are highlighted in yellow in the colour display of the driver's information system. If the system determines from their position that an accident could occur, the highlighting changes to red, a warning triangle appears and a warning tone sounds.

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Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    40 TFSI Sport 4dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £38,230

Most Economical

  • Name
    50 TFSI e 17.9kWh Quattro Sport 4dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £54,515

Fastest

  • Name
    S6 TDI 349 Quattro 4dr Tip Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £59,890

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.

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