How reliable is the Audi A6 Avant?
We don’t consider the Audi A6 Avant to be a reliable car. Featured in our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey in saloon form, the model finished last out of 24 cars in the executive car class. Reliability and problems Audi came a really disappointing 27th out of 32 brands in the 2024 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey – two places behind Mercedes and 13 places behind BMW. The A6 Avant uses all-new underpinnings and its engines are pretty new too, so there’s not much historical reliability data to go off.The Audi A6 offers a high-tech, spacious interior and easy, comfy progress. It’s fantastic at eating up long motorway journeys. Add in a big boot and powerful engines and the A6 has a lot to like. Used A6s can be excellent value, too.The 2025 Audi A6 is built for quiet luxury with a clean, unadorned design that’s the polar opposite of splashy. While there’s nothing wrong with its base 261-horsepower four-cylinder, we much prefer the available 335-horsepower V-6, as it makes highway jaunts effortless and provides good power for spirited driving.Among the 12 owners who provided feedback on the 2022 Audi A6 for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive, with 80% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle’s styling and comfort to be its strongest features and value to be its weakest.A 2022 Audi A6 has depreciated $21,286 or 41% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $30,516 and trade-in value of $25,644. The 2022 Audi A6 is in the 75-100% percentile for depreciation among all 2022 Sedans.
Is the Audi A6 high maintenance?
The annual maintenance cost of an Audi A6 is $913. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop. A 2021 Audi A6 has depreciated $23,105 or 50% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $22,958 and trade-in value of $19,017. The 2021 Audi A6 is in the 75-100% percentile for depreciation among all 2021 Sedans.Factors Influencing Audi’s Depreciation Being a luxury brand, Audis are often leased, leading to a high number of used Audis entering the market after lease periods end. This influx results in an increased supply against a relatively low demand for luxury cars, further pushing down the resale prices.Neither brand is objectively better than the other, but they might suit slightly different buyers. We think Audis tend to be a little easier to drive, which might make them better as a commuter car, but BMWs are often a little more fun to drive, which makes them a better pick for enthusiastic drivers.The Audi and Toyota brands are known and respected worldwide for their commitment to safety, reliability, and performance. As a luxury brand, though, Audi edges out the competition in crucial ways.Brand Prestige and Resale Value Resale Value Leader: Audi holds the top spot for luxury brand resale value, outperforming BMW in long-term value retention. Industry Recognition: Audi’s consistent accolades for value and quality enhance its prestige among luxury brands.
What are the drawbacks of the Audi A6?
Excessive Oil Consumption Older A6 models (2009–2014, 2. TFSI) often burn oil excessively, sometimes a litre every 1,000 miles. Faulty piston rings are the culprit, requiring vigilant monitoring or costly repairs. Excessive oil consumption in the Audi A6 C8 3. TDI can be caused by various factors, including worn piston rings, faulty valve seals, and turbocharger issues. Worn piston rings can allow oil to seep into the combustion chamber, which is burned along with the fuel, resulting in increased oil consumption.
Which is better Audi A6 Avant or E class?
While the A6 Avant is the better, more comfortable car to drive, there’s little to split these two in terms of performance or running costs. The slight advantage the Avant has on the latter is eroded by its load space deficit to the Mercedes. Audi, with a strong resale value, particularly among the A3, A4, and Q5 models, has steadily improved its reliability over time, solidifying its reputation as a dependable choice. Recommendation: Mercedes-Benz and Audi are the more preferable choices here, with Mercedes-Benz often having a slight edge in resale value.No matter which version you go for, the A6 offers plenty of grip and can be hustled down a country road at a respectable pace. The steering is good too, with enough weight and accuracy to make the A6 easy to place on the road. With air suspension fitted there’s quite a lot of body lean, even in its sportiest mode.Both are fairly similar at first glance, yet they’re different when you get into the details. To put it plainly, you should buy the A6 if you need more boot space and increased comfort for longer journeys. While the A4 is a luxurious car, it’s not on the same level as its larger sibling.In fact, I reckon the new Audi A6 might be the best all-round executive saloon on the market right now. It’s more comfortable than the BMW 5 Series and more dynamic than the Mercedes E-Class – and it feels more grown up than both.
Why is Audi called Avant?
Avant is a term used by Audi to denote their line of station wagon or estate car models. The term Avant originates from the French word for forward or ahead, and it signifies Audi’s commitment to creating versatile and spacious vehicles that offer both style and functionality. As of July 2025, the Audi A6 has a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 52%. It scores top marks for its low CO2 emissions, helped by the plug-in hybrid model, while the safety rating is still good despite the car’s age. But its score is dragged down by its poor reliability results and high running costs.The 2010 A6, part of the third-generation A6, is the best used Audi to buy in the USA. With a J. D. Power Quality and Reliability score of 89/100, it ranks as the Audi with the highest score of all vehicles from The Four Rings’ stable.Personal Protection Vehicles The Audi A4 maintains very low theft rates due to its advanced anti-theft technology, while the A6 ranks among America’s most theft-resistant vehicles.The Audi A6 is an executive car manufactured by the German company Audi since 1994. Now in its fifth generation, the successor to the Audi 100 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany, and is available in saloon and estate configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.