Buying an Audi A6 Avant (C7)

[TomSmythe]

Hi all,

I’m close to purchasing a 2016 A6 Avant which has just done 100k.

It’s an S-Line spec with an S-Tronic box. Full service history mainly at Audi with one done at an independent.

What do I need to look out for (common issues) and does this sound like a good purchase or a nightmare in the waiting?

Thanks

Tom

[ninjag]

TomSmythe said:

Hi all,

I’m close to purchasing a 2016 A6 Avant which has just done 100k.

It’s an S-Line spec with an S-Tronic box. Full service history mainly at Audi with one done at an independent.

What do I need to look out for (common issues) and does this sound like a good purchase or a nightmare in the waiting?

Thanks

Tom

Before you hand over a single coin, get a copy of the digital service history and then phone every dealership that was used to see if they did the DSG fluid change on time (usually every 38k depending on the box).

Unbelievably, Audi themselves deem it acceptable for the dealerships to omit fluid changes should the customer request this; but they are still allowed to mark it as fully serviced. Very deceptive.

[halo34]

I really want a 3.0 a6 - (tdi) but the S tronic box out of warranty scares the hell out of me.

[TomSmythe]

I will ask the seller for that info and have a call around to double check.

What are the issues in regards to scaring the hell out of you!!

[TomSmythe]

Am I right in thinking that a 2016 would have a revised S-Tronic that is much more reliable with minimal failures?

[RhysH]

Make sure it hasn’t got pano roof. Had one and leaked like crazy!

[TomSmythe]

No pano 👍🏻.

Just worried about the gearbox, thought it was only the older ones that had a worse failure rate?

[ninjag]

I believe it is the older ones, in particular the DQ200 I think. It would seem that so long as the DSG fluid is replaced as per the schedule with the correct fluid then it should be fine.

You can also buy a small aluminium billet insert which replaces the stock one and fills the excessive void, but still leaves a little bit of play so as not to transfer any movement to other components. This pretty much eliminates the slight jolt you can sometimes feels when it downshifts to first. It's about £20 or something and takes five minutes to fit.

[TomSmythe]

Ah ok I’ll have a look for that and get one fitted.

I will make sure I check the history thoroughly to make sure it hasn’t been missed.

Any other experiences or advice is appreciated.

Thanks

[TTmonkey]

TomSmythe said:

Ah ok I’ll have a look for that and get one fitted.

I will make sure I check the history thoroughly to make sure it hasn’t been missed.

Any other experiences or advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Entertainment system on mine packed up. Two and half grand to fix.

[ninjag]

TomSmythe said:

Ah ok I’ll have a look for that and get one fitted.

I will make sure I check the history thoroughly to make sure it hasn’t been missed.

Any other experiences or advice is appreciated.

Thanks

What engine are you looking at?


Here's a link to that transmission mount upgrade: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353378870259?epid=88008...

Here's a link to lots of nice information on the DSG transmission if you've not already found this page: https://andybucks5.blogspot.com/2018/08/audi-s-tro...

[jamie-hw314]

Check for bubbling paint around rear arches and boot. Check the inside seams of doors and boot too.

[Deerfoot]

ninjag said:

Unbelievably, Audi themselves deem it acceptable for the dealerships to omit fluid changes should the customer request this; but they are still allowed to mark it as fully serviced. Very deceptive.

Isn’t this fraud?

[b0rk]

Deerfoot said:

Isn’t this fraud?

In VAG land it appears not. One of the bizarre quirks of DSG servicing is the intervals don't align with normal service intervals so you'll get a lot of cars that at one service where not "due" but then are massively overdue at the subsequent service. The service interval reminder in the car won't flag for DSG fluid.

If the car is (or was) on longlife servicing and serviced say 5k before the DSG interval it's highly likely the dealer won't have asked would you like a DSG service, even when the next service could be 15k over. Once these things hit the used market when or if DSG services have been done will become an absolute mystery.