2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 625 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 96.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.6%).

Pass rate

625

MOT tests analysed

3.8%

Fail rate

better than

vs cars of similar age

3.2

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	3.2%	20
2	Visibility	0.8%	5
3	Lighting & signalling	0.6%	4
4	Other defects	0.3%	2
5	Road wheels	0.3%	2
6	Body, structure & corrosion	0.3%	2

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Tread depth	9
2	Headlamp aim	3
3	Washers	3
4	Registration plates	3
5	Attachment	2
6	Wipers	2

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	15.5%	97
2	Visibility	4.8%	30
3	Other defects	3.4%	21
4	Brakes	2.7%	17
5	Suspension	2.4%	15
6	Seat belts & restraints	0.2%	1

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 A6 50 E S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	193	3.6%
30-60k	277	3.6%
60-90k	122	5.7%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 A6 50 E S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2023	57	1.8%
2024	268	3.4%
2025	272	5.1%

What to check before buying a 2021 A6 50 E S-A

Before buying a 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.2% of tests for this year.

Tyres (3.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Visibility (0.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Lighting & signalling (0.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-As pass their MOT?

96.2% of the 625 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.8% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A6 50 E S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 3.2% of tests, followed by visibility (0.8%).

Does the 2021 A6 50 E S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.6% in the 0-30k band to 5.7% in the 60-90k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 625 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.