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Audi · Mid-Size · 2004–2011

Audi A6 C6

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
2.0 / 5.0 · Based on 16 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

579 PS

5.0L V10 BiTurbo Benzin

580 hp V10 BiTurbo saloon — ten cylinders, zero restraint

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

170–177 PS

2.4L V6 Benzin

6 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

435–570 PS

5.2L V10 FSI Benzin

11 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Body Variants

The Audi A6 C6 is available as Limousine and Avant — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Limousine
16 Engines 1× Good Choice 9× Stay Away!
view Limousine →
Avant
16 Engines 1× Good Choice 9× Stay Away!
view Avant →

Generations

Engine Overview

The Audi A6 C6 is available with 11 engine variants — from 136 to 579 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

2.0L TDI · Diesel· 136–177 PS Engine Change
2004 2008
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
2008 2011
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
2.7L TDI V6 · Diesel· 163–190 PS Engine Change
2004 2011
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2004 2008
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
3.0L TDI V6 · Diesel· 224–245 PS Engine Change
2004 2011
Stay Away! 7 weaknesses
2004 2009
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
2.0L TFSI · Benziner· 170 PS
2005 2011
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
2.4L V6 · Benziner· 170–177 PS
2004 2008
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
2.8L FSI V6 · Benziner· 190–220 PS Engine Change
2004 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2006 2011
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2008 2011
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
3.0L V6 30V · Benziner· 218–220 PS
2004 2008
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
3.2L FSI V6 · Benziner· 256 PS
2004 2008
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
4.2L FSI V8 · Benziner· 349 PS
2006 2011
Stay Away! 8 weaknesses
RS6 · Benziner· 580 PS
2008 2010
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
S6 · Benziner· 435 PS
2006 2011
Stay Away! 11 weaknesses

The Audi 2.0L TDI (Diesel, 136–177 PS) comes with 2 different engines: BPJ (2004–2008, Stay Away!) und BRD (2008–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TDI!

The Audi 2.7L TDI V6 (Diesel, 163–190 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CANA (2004–2011, Be Careful) und BSG (2004–2008, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.7L TDI V6!

The Audi 3.0L TDI V6 (Diesel, 224–245 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CCWA (2004–2011, Stay Away!) und BMK (2004–2009, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 3.0L TDI V6!

The Audi 2.0L TFSI (Benziner, 170 PS) has the BYK (2.0L TFSI) — rated: "Stay Away!", 5 known weaknesses.

The Audi 2.4L V6 (Benziner, 170–177 PS) has the BDW (2.4L V6) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Audi 2.8L FSI V6 (Benziner, 190–220 PS) comes with 3 different engines: CHVA-140 (2004–2011, Be Careful) und BYT (2006–2011, Be Careful) und BDX (2008–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.8L FSI V6!

The Audi 3.0L V6 30V (Benziner, 218–220 PS) has the ASN (3.0L V6 30V) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.

The Audi 3.2L FSI V6 (Benziner, 256 PS) has the AUK (3.2L FSI V6) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.

The Audi 4.2L FSI V8 (Benziner, 349 PS) has the BAT (4.2L FSI V8) — rated: "Stay Away!", 8 known weaknesses.

The Audi RS6 (Benziner, 580 PS) has the BSM (5.0L V10 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Audi S6 (Benziner, 435 PS) has the BUJ (5.2L V10 FSI) — rated: "Stay Away!", 11 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
✖Multitronic CVT Gearbox Failure

The continuously variable Multitronic gearbox (01J/0AW) is considered the most serious weakness. Judder, rev fluctuations and complete failure. Early build years up to 2007 are particularly badly affected.

Symptoms: Severe judder when pulling away, uncontrolled rev spikes, PRND display flashing, no reverse gear, limp mode
from 100,000 km
Ad Multitronic 01J gearboxMultitronic control unit 0AN927750
 High
✖Multitronic CVT Gearbox Failure

The Multitronic CVT tends to judder when pulling away, rpm fluctuations at partial load and, in the worst case, complete failure. All front-wheel-drive models are affected.

Symptoms: Noticeable juddering when pulling away, flashing gearbox indicator in instrument cluster, rpm fluctuations; limp-mode driving still possible
from 120,000 km
Ad Multitronic gearboxcontrol unitMultitronic replacementgearbox
 High
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
229 complaints · 2004–2011
Airbags
131 ⚠ 5
Electrical
27 ⚠ 2
Lighting
12 ⚠ 1
Brakes
10 ⚠ 2
Engine & Cooling
10 ⚠ 1

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Airbags (131 complaints)
⚠ Electrical (27 complaints)
⚠ Lighting (12 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 112 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi A6 C6 (2004–2011) — 98 engine-related and 14 vehicle-related. 9 problem engines: CCWA (3.0L TDI V6), BUJ (5.2L V10 FSI), AUK (3.2L FSI V6), BPJ (2.0L TDI), BRD (2.0L TDI), BYK (2.0L TFSI), BDX (2.8L FSI V6), BAT (4.2L FSI V8), BMK (3.0L TDI V6). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Suspension, Electronics, Rust. Considered reliable: BDW (2.4L V6).

A6 (CCWA, 2004–2011) — Stay Away!: Chain tensioner cold-start rattle, Piston Slap — Alusil Block, EGR valve soot deposits. Power: 232–245 PS.

A6 (CANA, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely, EGR System Clogged and Leaking, Piezo Injectors Wear Out at High Mileage. Power: 190 PS.

A6 (BPJ, 2004–2008) — Stay Away!: Piezo PD injectors carbon up, Oil pump drive hexagonal shaft breaks, Cylinder head crack on the 170 hp PD. Power: 136–140 PS.

A6 (BMK, 2004–2009) — Stay Away!: Piezo injector failure, Timing chain and tensioner, Intake manifold flap defective. Power: 224 PS.

A6 (BSG, 2004–2008) — Be Careful: EGR cooler leak, Piezo injector wear, DPF blockage due to short-trip driving. Power: 163 PS.

A6 (BRD, 2008–2011) — Stay Away!: Piezo Unit Injectors Wear Prematurely, Oil Pump Drive Hexagonal Shaft — Total Loss Risk, Cylinder Head Crack from Thermal Stress. Power: 163–177 PS.

A6 (AUK, 2004–2008) — Stay Away!: Cylinder Bore Coating Detachment and Piston Slap, Piston Slap / Piston Seizure, Timing Chain Stretch — 3.2 FSI. Power: 256 PS.

A6 (ASN, 2004–2008) — Be Careful: Chain tensioner rattling on cold start, Camshaft adjuster solenoid valve defect, Sludge build-up with long service intervals. Power: 218–220 PS.

A6 (CHVA-140, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Intake Valve Carbon Buildup (Direct Injection), Water Pump and Cooling System, Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils Wear. Power: 190 PS.

A6 (BYK, 2005–2011) — Stay Away!: Increased oil consumption from piston rings, HP pump cam follower wears out, Timing chain failure — total engine damage. Power: 170 PS.

A6 (BUJ, 2006–2011) — Stay Away!: Chain tensioner pressure loss (4 timing chains), R-Tronic hydraulic actuator / hydraulic accumulator defective, Coolant expansion tank cracks — fire risk (Recall 2019). Power: 435 PS.

A6 (BAT, 2006–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain with broken guide rail — most costly damage, Multitronic gearbox — structural problem on front-wheel-drive models, Camshaft adjusters wear and cause fault codes. Power: 349 PS.

A6 (BYT, 2006–2011) — Be Careful: Timing chain wear on all V6 engines, Multitronic CVT — prone to wear, High-pressure pump can fail. Power: 204–209 PS.

A6 (BDX, 2008–2011) — Stay Away!: Expensive Timing Chain on Transmission Side, Elevated Oil Consumption / Piston Damage, Piston Slap 3.2 FSI. Power: 220 PS.

A6 (BSM, 2008–2010) — Be Careful: Intake port carbon build-up, Oil pump seal wears from engine heat, Increased oil consumption from defective crankcase breather. Power: 579 PS.

What to watch out for with the Audi A6? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Audi A6 C6 have? +
The Audi A6 C6 has 98 known engine weaknesses and 14 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Audi A6 C6? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: BDW (2.4L V6). The most reliable engine is the BDW (2.4L V6) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the BSM (5.0L V10 BiTurbo). Problem engine: BUJ (5.2L V10 FSI) — stay away!
Which Audi A6 C6 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Audi A6 C6. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 6 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Audi A6 C6 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Audi A6 C6 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} The C6 RS6 as a saloon is the rare variant: most buyers chose the Avant. Same V10 BiTurbo, same rumble — but without the practical load floor. One owner, despite oil leaks and engine removal, calls it the greatest car he ever had. Below 4,000 rpm a composed cruiser; above that, a high-performance unit that wants to be warm — wait for 95°C oil temperature. The V10 sound is more muted through the turbos than expected, but with a sports exhaust it's deep and emphatic.
Is the Audi A6 C6 worth buying used? +
Caution is advised with the Audi A6 C6 — 9 of 16 engine variants are rated 'Stay Away!'. The engine choice is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the Audi A6 C6? +
The Audi A6 C6 is available with engine variants from 136 to 579 hp. Petrol: BUJ (5.2L V10 FSI), AUK (3.2L FSI V6), BYK (2.0L TFSI), BDW (2.4L V6), BDX (2.8L FSI V6), BAT (4.2L FSI V8), ASN (3.0L V6 30V), BYT (2.8L FSI V6), CHVA-140 (2.8L FSI V6), BSM (5.0L V10 BiTurbo). Diesel: CCWA (3.0L TDI V6), CANA (2.7L TDI V6), BPJ (2.0L TDI), BRD (2.0L TDI), BMK (3.0L TDI V6), BSG (2.7L TDI V6).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee