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What to check before I buy? (C6)

Featured Replies

Hey guys, first time here👋

There is Audi a6 c6 (2010) SE model I'm going to check this evening, 2.0 Tdi fwd.

can anyone tell me what are the weak points of the car? where to focus more or what questions to ask?

I do have VCDS tool to diagnose the car and basic knowledge when it comes to the cars but not enough to keep myself from getting scammed😀

Thank you!!

Welcome Shota,

The back and front of it is, that if you are not fully (in caps) conversant with these vehicles, then my advice would be to get the vehicle checked over by an independent near to where the car is being sold.

Is the car being sold by a secondhand car dealer, or a private individual?

Have you checked it’s on line Mot history?

Have you checked when the last V5 was issued?

Have you actually had sight of evidence of any claimed service history?

Have you paid £9.99 to request a vehicle history check via the on-line VCheck?

I ask all these questions, since for you to hope to get assistance with such short notice is unrealistic.

Regards,

Gareth.

  • Author

thank you for pointing them questions out.

I didn't get the car after hearing the metal knock sound from the engine, inside outside car looked very nice especially in pictures. I do have few A6's saved to go and check within next few days.

Honestly, the only way I check the car is by MOT history thru VehicleSmart. when i get to the car I just scan it with a tool (Bluedriver, vcds, opcom, forscan) and do manual checks in and out. nothing special..

the options for now are A6 SE model with 101K miles and two different A6 Le Mans with about 110-115k miles. (I have A4 B7 3.0 tdi quattro saved as well but I focus more on interior and economy for now)

(almost forgot, I check the hpi thru the logbook as it always states that car was salvaged or smth)

Cheers

You want a year's MOT on any of these cars. If buying privately, do your research. You can pull previous MOT history via government check. Also speak to owner. Genuine owner will have paperwork and lots of it, plus history. For these sort of vehicles, keep your search area tight. No point travelling for 'immaculate example' only to be disappointed.

Always drive a car from cold, and cross reference vehicle VIN on inspection. For a car you're prepared to buy, and given we live in a world where we're surrounded by scammers, then pay for a vehicle report such as carvertical. RAC offer something similar, but less detailed.

If you have VCDS, definately scan the car. Diesels on the whole are robust. At this age, its Euro5 technology. Regular oil changes are key to engine longevity. Anything on long service intervals 15-18k intervals, walk away.

All 2.0 TDI engines will be belt driven, so again, when was toothed belt done? My advice is 60k miles or every 5 years plus waterpump.

If any cars have panoramics, then check carpets, and headlining for water leaks.

Test all electrics, central locking, etc. Sat Nav likely out of date, but it is what it is.

Scuffed wheel rims, someone can't drive. Alignment will be out and I'll bet it pulls to the kerb.

Check coil spring height. Easy test with your hand on level ground from tyre to arch.

also the rear light cluster give trouble with the leds,the plastic lens gets very faded too and are very expensive to replace,Greg

  • Author

thx sm for this much info. got not much of the update except I was talking to a friend who works on the cars for a dacade now and what he explained to me is to be careful/avoid this engines as they tend to have fuel pump issues mostly. he also mentioned that if buying the auto transmission car (which im not), make sure that gearbox has been serviced regulary.

I do plan to check one of the car next week. its in london and got about 100k miles on it. (about 2 grand for the car)

(sunroof advice was really spot on in this case)'

about VCDS, I am going to use it for sure, full detailed scan to find out the issues or when was the last time they deleted any error codes (its a private dealer company who selling the car and i dont rly trust them either).

either way I'll let u know if anything

Thank you!!

On subject of transmission, on 2.0 TDI on C6 will be either manual 6 speed or multitronic CVT auto. Needs gear box fluid and filter every 40k. Manual 6 speed treat to gear oil change at 100k.

  • Author

I will keep that in notes as well to ask..

btw, not frequently asked question but i wanna know: are rear seats foldable like in hatchbacks?

cheers

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Author
On 5/27/2026 at 7:55 PM, coupe4 said:

also the rear light cluster give trouble with the leds,the plastic lens gets very faded too and are very expensive to replace,Greg

I got myself the Audi i was looking to buy for a while now (a6 c6) and that's the problem i faced.. -£150 for set of taillights :(

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