Models · Audi
Audi S6 C7 buying guide
The C7 S6 was built from 2012 to 2018 with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, a seven-speed S tronic gearbox and quattro, in saloon and Avant forms. It's a fast, comfortable car with a small number of well-understood faults.
The versions
- 4.0 TFSI twin-turbo V8 with cylinder on demand: 420PS from 2012, 450PS after the 2015 facelift
- 7-speed S tronic (DL501) dual-clutch automatic; no manual was offered
- quattro permanent four-wheel drive with a sport rear differential
- Adaptive air suspension as standard
- Saloon and Avant bodies (the S7 Sportback shares the drivetrain)
What to check on a C7 S6
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Turbo oil supply strainer
What to look for: Ask whether the revised oil strainer for the turbochargers has been fitted, and look for it in the invoices or a dealer's recall record. On the drive, listen for a whistle or siren-like whine from the turbos and look for smoke when you accelerate after idling.
Why it matters: The 4.0 V8 has a mesh strainer in the turbochargers' oil supply, deep in the valley between the cylinder banks, and if it clogs the turbos can be starved of oil. In the US, 2013 to 2016 cars with this engine, the S6 included, were recalled to fit a coarser strainer, which went into production in March 2017. A dealer or specialist can confirm whether the revised part is fitted.
S tronic gearbox behaviour
What to look for: On the drive, slow down to a crawl as if approaching a junction and feel for a clunk as it changes down through the low gears. Pull away gently from a standstill several times, and check it engages Drive and Reverse promptly.
Why it matters: This car uses the seven-speed DL501 dual-clutch gearbox rather than a conventional automatic. A clonk on low-speed downshifts is a known trait, and the control unit (mechatronic) occasionally fails, which can stop gears engaging. Specialists change the gearbox oil about every 38,000 miles, so look for that in the history.
Air suspension
What to look for: Ask for the car to have stood overnight, and look at it from each corner before it's started. It should sit level. Then let it run and listen for the compressor running for a long time or repeatedly.
Why it matters: Adaptive air suspension is standard on this generation. The air struts leak on higher-mileage cars, and a corner sitting low after standing is the usual first sign. Specialists replace them in pairs, and genuine parts are the safer choice.
Also in the full guide
- Vibration at idle and the engine mounts
- A whistle from the engine bay
- Creaks from the front suspension
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the C7 S6
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
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.