A Vehicle Worthy of Praise: The Impressive Audi A6 That Earns High Recommendations

A Vehicle Worthy of Praise: The Impressive Audi A6 That Earns High Recommendations

Rewritten Article:

Exploring the Used Market: Audi A6 - TÜV Confirms a Solid Choice, Albeit Expensive Repairs

Branch out from the ordinary and indulge in the luxurious drive of the Audi A6. This powerhouse, often seen prowling the roads as a company car, sports top-notch features and driving characteristics, even compared to its luxury counterparts. Not surprisingly, it's earned a spot on the "Auto Bild TÜV-Report 2025" as a used car worth recommending.

Audi's flagship in the midsize segment, the A6, manages to escape wear and tear quite effectively, especially on the fourth and fifth generations. To understand its charm, let's take a walk down memory lane and explore its history.

Generations at a Glance

First making its debut in the year 2011, the fourth generation of the A6 received a facelift in 2014, featuring an updated design, extended equipment, fresh engines, and new transmissions. Finally, the fifth generation took over in 2018 with a facelift in 2023, and was in production until 2025.

Variant Tips for Used Car Buyers

The A6 is primarily available as an estate car, capturing over two-thirds of the used market. However, it also dresses up as a sedan and the more uncommon coupe, under the label A7. The Allroad versions, sporting increased ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and off-road aesthetics, were also in production. Performance-focused S6 and RS6 models are the muscle of the group, boasting the most impressive engine power.

Measuring Up: Size Matters

Crunching the numbers, here's what you can expect from the A6's dimensions based on ADAC data:

• Fourth Generation: L x W x H: 4.92 to 4.98 m x 1.87 to 1.94 m x 1.44 to 1.47 m (Sedan); Boot volume: 530 to 995 l (Hybrid: 375 to 850 l); 565 to 1680 l (Estate)
• Fifth Generation: L x W x H: 4.93 to 5.00 m x 1.89 to 1.95 m x 1.46 to 1.47 m (Sedan; Plug-in Hybrid: 360 l); 565 l to 1680 l (Estate; Plug-in Hybrid: 405 to 1535 l)

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Steering systems, drive shafts, and steering joints have proven to be resilient across all generations, as reported by TÜV. The lighting and braking components are also a cause for little concern. TÜV declares that "few cars are as trouble-free across all years of construction"[1].

However, things aren't always smooth sailing. Audi A6s from the fifth year of manufacturing onwards often face issues with axle suspensions, springs, and dampers. In older A6s, the low beam might be misaligned, and exhaust systems are occasionally defective at the third MOT test. The fifth generation also exhibits noticeable oil loss from the engine and transmission during the first inspection, according to the TÜV report.

Troubleshooting the A6

Reliability-wise, the A6 fares consistently well to very good, as attested to by the ADAC. The only areas with a higher incidence of breakdowns are the automatic transmissions in models with first registration in 2012 and the generators from 2018 to 2020[1].

Audi A6 Generation Power: Petrol and Diesel Engines

• Fourth Generation: Gasoline (Four-, Six-, and Eight-cylinder, Front- and All-wheel drive): 132 kW/180 PS to 445 kW/605 PS; Diesel (Four- and Six-cylinder, Front- and All-wheel drive): 110 kW/136 PS to 240 kW/326 PS; Hybrid (Four-cylinder + Electric Motor, Front-wheel drive): 180 kW/245 PS system power.
• Fifth Generation: Gasoline (Four-, Six-, and Eight-cylinder, Front- and All-wheel drive): 180 kW/245 PS to 463 kW/630 PS; Diesel (Four- and Six-cylinder, Front- and All-wheel drive): 120 kW/163 PS to 257 kW/349 PS; Plug-in Hybrid (Four-cylinder + Electric Motor, Front-wheel drive): 220 kW/299 PS and 270 kW/367 PS system power.

Dealer Resale Value: Expectations vs. Reality

Sources: ntv.de abe/dpa

Pro Tips:

1. Audi A6 C5 Common Problems: Be on the lookout for these common issues when buying a used Audi A6 C5:
2. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor: Impacts engine performance, fuel efficiency, and power output[1].
3. Faulty Oxygen Sensor: Leads to increased emissions, poor fuel efficiency, and engine performance issues[1].
4. Transmission Slippage: Resulting in decreased performance and transmission component damage[1].
5. Faulty VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) Vanes: Contributing to decreased engine performance and efficiency[1].
6. Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injectors: Influencing poor engine performance and fuel efficiency[1].
7. General Maintenance:
8. Regular Servicing: Ensure routine maintenance has been completed, such as oil changes and filter replacements.
9. Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle before purchase.
10. Test Drive: Take the car on a test drive to identify any immediate issues.
11. Check History: Use Carfax to view the vehicle's history for any past problems or recalls.

By heeding these tips and warnings, you'll be well on your way to making an informed, intelligent purchase of a used Audi A6 C5.

[1] Car Analysts. (2023). Audi A6 C5 Common Problems & Solutions: Symptoms, Causes, and Fixes. Retrieved from car-analysts.com/audi/a6-c5-common-problems-solutions

1. When considering a used Audi A6 C5, it's crucial to be aware of its common problems such as a faulty Mass Airflow Sensor, Oxygen Sensor, transmission slippage, faulty VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) Vanes, clogged or faulty Fuel Injectors, which can affect engine performance, fuel efficiency, and overall performance.
2. Regular servicing, thorough inspections, test drives, and checking the vehicle's history can help identify potential issues before making a purchase.
3. Among the Audi vehicles of heading 8702, the A6, regardless of being a sedan, estate car, or less common coupe, has been praised for its top-notch features and driving characteristics.
4. In the "Auto Bild TÜV-Report 2025," the Audi A6, especially the estate versions, earned a recommendation due to its solid build and impressive engine power, despite the higher rates associated with its repairs.
5. Technology plays a significant role in the A6's characteristics, with each generation featuring advanced systems such as updated designs, fresh engines, new transmissions, and steering systems that have proven to be resilient across all years of production.

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