Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 TDI, 233 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €576 | €4,500 | 310 | Diesel | ASB | Automatic (6) | 2006–2008 |
| 2.7 TDI, 180 PS, automatic Research | €539 | €3,300 | 252 | Diesel | BPP | CVT-Getriebe | 2005–2008 |
| 2.7 TDI, 180 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €559 | €3,300 | 252 | Diesel | BPP | Automatic (6) | 2005–2008 |
| 2.7 TDI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €527 | €2,750 | 136 | Diesel | BPP | Manual (6) | 2004–2008 |
| 3.0 TDI, 225 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €582 | €4,000 | 136 | Diesel | BMK | Automatic (6) | 2004–2006 |
| 2.4, 177 PS, automatic Research | €550 | €3,500 | 101 | Petrol | BDW | CVT-Getriebe | 2004–2008 |
| 2.4, 177 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €554 | €3,000 | 95 | Petrol | BDW | Manual (6) | 2004–2008 |
| 2.4, 177 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €584 | €3,000 | 95 | Petrol | BDW | Manual (6) | 2004–2008 |
| 3.2 FSI, 255 PS, automatic Research | €568 | €4,500 | 73 | Petrol | AUK | CVT-Getriebe | 2005–2008 |
| 3.2 FSI, 255 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €598 | €4,500 | 73 | Petrol | AUK | Automatic (6) | 2004–2008 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 170 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €504 | €3,300 | 55 | Petrol | BPJ | Manual (6) | 2005–2008 |
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €485 | €3,499 | 55 | Diesel | BRE | Manual (6) | 2004–2008 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2004 to 2011, as saloon, Avant and allroad.
- Reliability: 2/5. Timing chains and the multitronic gearbox fail often, and the 2.0 TDI oil pump drive can fail.
- DIY: 1/5. Chain jobs need the engine or gearbox out, so a workshop is needed.
- Prefer: tiptronic (quattro) cars and the 3.0 TDI with tiptronic, which the press recommends.
- Avoid: front-drive multitronic cars with judder, and cars with no service record.
- Biggest risk: the 3.0 TDI timing chain, a job of about EUR 2,000-4,000.
Engines and gearboxes
- 2.0 TDI pump-injector (BRE, BLB), 136-140 PS, built 2004-2008: the oil pump drive can fail. See below.
- 2.0 TDI common rail (CAHA), 163-177 PS, from 2008: see the 2.0 TDI guide. No C6-specific fault confirmed.
- 2.7 TDI (CANA, BPP), 180-190 PS: no engine-specific fault confirmed.
- 3.0 TDI (BMK, ASB, CDYA), 224-245 PS: timing chains and piezo injectors are the main faults.
- 2.0 TFSI (BPJ), 170 PS: oil use from worn piston rings.
- 2.4 V6 (BDW), 170-177 PS: timing chain wear.
- 2.8 FSI (CHVA, BYT, CCEA), 190-220 PS: no common fault confirmed.
- 3.2 FSI (AUK), 256 PS: timing chain stretch and cylinder scoring.
- 4.2 V8 (BAT), 350-355 PS: no common fault confirmed.
Gearboxes:
- 6-speed manual: no common fault confirmed.
- Multitronic (continuously variable, front-wheel drive only): avoid unless its service record is good. See the control unit issue below.
- Tiptronic automatic (quattro): the press rates it more reliable than the multitronic.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 TDI timing chains and tensioners | 3.0 TDI (BMK, ASB, CDYA) | 100,000 km and up | EUR 2,000-4,000 (year not stated) |
| 2.0 TDI oil pump drive | 2.0 TDI pump-injector (BRE, BLB) | 100,000 km and up | No confirmed price |
| Multitronic control unit and judder | Multitronic (front-wheel drive) | Not stated | From about EUR 4,200 for a replacement gearbox (year not stated) |
| 2.4 and 3.2 V6 petrol timing chains | 2.4 V6 (BDW), 3.2 FSI (AUK) | About 100,000 km (3.2 FSI) | EUR 1,000-3,500 for the 2.4 V6 chain (year not stated) |
| 3.2 FSI cylinder scoring | 3.2 FSI (AUK) | 80,000-100,000 km | No confirmed price |
| 2.0 TFSI oil use | 2.0 TFSI (BPJ) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| 3.0 TDI piezo injectors | 3.0 TDI (BMK, ASB, CDYA) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Diesel particulate filter (DPF) | Diesel models | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Test drive a multitronic from a stop. Jerking on pull-away or speed fluctuation is a bad sign. Ask for gearbox oil service records.
- Listen for a rattle on a cold start. A rattle lasting 2 to 5 seconds is a warning sign on a 3.0 TDI. Ask for chain records, and read the fault memory for codes P0016 to P0019.
- On a 2.4 V6 or 3.2 FSI, ask for timing chain records and the mileage at the last chain check.
- On a 2.0 TDI pump-injector, check for an oil pressure warning. Ask whether the oil pump drive was checked or replaced.
- On a 3.2 FSI, check the oil level before and after the test drive. Oil use or knocking from the pistons is a bad sign.
- On a 2.0 TFSI, check the oil level. Oil use above 0.5 litres per 1,000 km is a warning sign.
- On a 3.0 TDI, look for exhaust smoke, and check the engine oil for fuel. Fuel in the oil points to injector wear.
- On a diesel, ask whether the particulate filter was cleaned or replaced. Diesel smell in the oil is a bad sign.
Running costs
| Operational | €266 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €131 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €165 |
| Total per month | €562 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €70 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,563
- 25th percentile
- €2,600
- Median price
- €3,650
- 75th percentile
- €4,999
- Median mileage
- 271,644 km
- Median first registration
- 2006
- Dealer share
- 23.6%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €6,045
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
3.0 TDI timing chains and tensioners
The timing chains stretch, and the tensioners wear. A rattle on a cold start, lasting 2 to 5 seconds, is the usual first sign. Stored codes P0016 to P0019 are the diagnostic codes to check. Chain stretch is possible at six-figure mileage. A full chain job costs about EUR 2,000-4,000 (year not stated). The engine or the gearbox must come out for the work.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich: typical problems, what-breaks: A6 C6 faults, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: C6 faults and buying advice, Motor-Talk: chain change for 3,000 EUR
2.0 TDI oil pump drive
The oil pump is driven from the balancer shaft by a hex bar. The hex drive wears and can have too little engagement depth. When it slips, the oil pressure warning comes on and a rattle can be heard. No repair cost is confirmed, so ask a workshop to check the drive before buying.
Sources: audi-sport.net forum, what-breaks: A6 C6 faults, audi4ever forum: oil pump cost
Multitronic control unit and judder
The multitronic is a continuously variable gearbox, fitted to front-wheel drive cars only. Symptoms are jerking on pull-away and speed fluctuation. The press says the control unit often fails. Replacing the control unit takes 3 to 4 hours. A replacement gearbox costs from about EUR 4,200 (year not stated). Two garages say the gearbox oil needs changing.
Sources: auto.ru: unreliable German saloons, fairgarage: multitronic problems, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: C6 faults and buying advice, KFZ Dietrich: typical problems
2.4 and 3.2 V6 petrol timing chains
On the 3.2 FSI the timing chains stretch at about 100,000 km. The 2.4 V6 chain and tensioner wear later. The press calls petrol chain work costly. A chain job on the 2.4 V6 costs EUR 1,000-3,500 (year not stated).
Sources: zr.ru: 2011 buyer's guide, what-breaks: A6 C6 faults, Motor-Talk: chain change for 3,000 EUR
3.2 FSI cylinder scoring
The cylinder bores have an aluminium-silicon (Alusil) coating, and the coating can come away. The piston then slaps and can seize, and the engine burns oil. First signs show at 80,000 to 100,000 km. No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: auto.ru: unreliable German saloons, what-breaks: A6 C6 faults, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: C6 faults and buying advice
2.0 TFSI oil use
Worn piston rings let the engine burn oil. Consumption above 0.5 litres (500 g) per 1,000 km is a warning sign. The repair is new rings with the bores honed. No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich: typical problems, zr.ru: 2011 buyer's guide, what-breaks: A6 C6 faults
3.0 TDI piezo injectors
Piezo injectors can deliver the wrong fuel quantity. A dripping injector can overheat its cylinder. Wear at the needle seat lets fuel into the engine oil, and the exhaust can smoke. No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich: typical problems, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: C6 faults and buying advice, what-breaks: A6 C6 faults
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
The diesel particulate filter (DPF, the soot trap) loads up on short trips. Diesel can then get into the engine oil. The press lists it among the typical diesel faults. No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich: typical problems, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: C6 faults and buying advice
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 16V382000 | 2005-2011 in southern states, 2005-2008 in others | Inflator replaced, free |
| USA | 17V032000 | 2005-2009, depending on state | Inflator replaced, free |
| USA | 18V427000 | 2005-2011 saloon, 2006-2011 Avant | Alternate-remedy part, free |
| Germany | not given | 2004-2009, A4 and A6 six-cylinder TDI | Software fix, ordered by the KBA (press report) |
Sources: cardog: NHTSA recalls, 2005 A6, autosafety.org: 2009 A6, cars.com: 2006 A6 recalls, autohaus.de: KBA order
Maintenance
- Engine oil: change it on time. Lack of maintenance is named as a cause of chain stretch.
- Multitronic oil: have it changed on schedule. Two garages say this is needed.
- 2.0 TFSI oil: check the level between services. Oil use above 0.5 litres per 1,000 km is a warning sign.
Sources
English
- what-breaks: Audi A6 C6 faults
- audi-sport.net forum: 2.0 TDI oil pump
- cardog: NHTSA recalls, 2005 A6
- autosafety.org: 2009 A6
- cars.com: 2006 A6 recalls
German
- KFZ Dietrich: typical problems, Audi A6 C6
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de: C6 faults and buying advice
- fairgarage: multitronic problems
- audi4ever forum: 2.0 TDI oil pump cost
- Motor-Talk: chain change for 3,000 EUR
- autohaus.de: KBA order on 2004-2009 A4 and A6 TDI