Models · Audi
Audi A6 C7 and allroad buying guide
The C7 A6 was sold from 2011 to 2018 as a saloon, Avant and allroad, mostly with 2.0 and 3.0 TDI diesels. The engines and gearboxes are well regarded, and the known issues are mainly small electrical faults and a few things to confirm in the history.
The versions
- 2.0 TDI four-cylinder diesel: 177PS from 2011, replaced by the 190PS 2.0 TDI Ultra from October 2013
- 3.0 TDI V6 diesel: 245PS at launch, a 204PS version from October 2013, and a 313PS twin-turbo version
- 3.0 TFSI V6 petrol (300PS), rare in the UK
- allroad quattro with 3.0-litre engines only
- Front-wheel drive or quattro; manual, Multitronic CVT automatic, or S tronic dual-clutch automatic
What to check on a C7 A6
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Oil level on TDI engines
What to look for: Check the oil level with the car on level ground, and ask the seller how much oil it uses between services and how they know.
Why it matters: The TDI engines in this A6 can use around a litre of oil every 1,000 miles. That isn't a fault in itself, but a low level suggests the car hasn't been checked between services.
Multitronic and S tronic gearbox behaviour
What to look for: Find out which automatic the car has. On the drive, pull away gently from a standstill several times and drive slowly as if in traffic. Feel for judder, jerks or hesitation.
Why it matters: The 2.0 TDI and the 204PS 3.0 TDI automatics use the Multitronic, a continuously variable gearbox; other automatics use the S tronic dual-clutch. Both can fail on high-mileage cars, and the dual-clutch can be jerky pulling away hard. A smooth gearbox and fluid changes in the history are reassuring.
Electronic parking brake and fuel gauge
What to look for: Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times. Check the fuel gauge reading matches what the seller says is in the tank.
Why it matters: Some cars have a parking brake that refuses to release, and gauges that read empty with a full tank. Both are known on this generation and an Audi software update usually fixes them.
Also in the full guide
- Water in the rear lights
- Cambelt on the 2.0 TDI
- Recall work
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the C7 A6
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
Audi A6 C5 and allroad · Audi A6 C6 and allroad · Audi A6 C8 and allroad
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Audi.