Audi A6 C6 (2004-2011): known problems and buying guide

Buy with a service record. Check gearbox smoothness, the 3.0 TDI chain noise and oil use before paying.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€542	€6,999	257	Diesel	CDY	Automatic (6)	2008–2011
2.7 TDI, 190 PS, automatic Research	€508	€5,500	200	Diesel	CAN	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
2.7 TDI, 190 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€521	€5,500	200	Diesel	CAN	Automatic (6)	2008–2011
3.0 TFSI, 290 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€575	€8,999	50	Petrol	CAJ	Automatic (6)	2008–2011

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.

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.

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

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.

Operational	€237
Workshop	€137
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€158
Total per month	€532
New-car depreciation (not included)	€88

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.