urs6_ma

I guess it depends on how you define "reliable". Likelihood of catastrophic engine failure?

Based on my 20 years in the Audi community, I would suggest that the older cars are more easily maintained to multi 100k mileage. I know that is different than reliability, but it's an important measure for me, as is maintainability. The older, less complex cars are simply easier to diagnose and repair.

That having been said, savvy used car buyers benefit from Audi's maintenance challenges. Used cars fall off a depreciation cliff, while in my experience, they may also be "debugged" when they hit 100k. At least that's what I'm hoping with our C6.

And for these reasons I'm starting to think about a C5 Allroad as a replacement for an older C5 wagon. First owners, or inexperienced used car buyers are bailing out of these cars due to suspension and transmission issues, which puts them on the open market at very attractive prices. (But not for the inexperienced or faint of heart!).

KevinGary

It is a reliability vs. durability issue. Newer cars are certainly more reliable, but with the newer technology it is more difficult to keep them on the road as they age. Even the German Engineers have adopted a throw it away mentality.

mkaresh

I have no idea what you mean about not respecting people's privacy. In nine years of conducting this survey, this is the first time I've been accused of such a thing.

I also send no spam, and unsubscribe people whenever this is requested. A couple times a month (i.e. not often, given that we have over 95,000 members) I receive an email claiming that I've ignored multiple previous requests. Maybe once or twice a year I find that I didn't correctly process the unsubscribe. Virtually all the time, though, I can find no previous request in my inbox. I then ask the person (now unsubscribed) to forward the previous request, so I can try to figure out what happened to it...they never do.

Try to remember that my wife and I work very hard to provide a large number of people with helpful information for free, and please don't do your best to make us regret this life choice.

mkaresh

Older Audis are great used car values for those willing and able to do their own work.

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the A6 / S6 to include owner experiences through the end of 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008 A6 / S6: 52, moderate, small sample size
2007 A6 / S6: 77, moderate, small sample size
2006 A6: 79, moderate
2005 A6: 92, moderate, small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2006 A6: 44, 3

We'll have further updates in May and in August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

For the details, including how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Audi A6 / S6 reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

So, how have these cars been doing lately?

Our reliability stats for the A6 / S6 now include owner experiences through March 31, 2015. (Others are nearly a year behind.)

In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year ("low" is best):

2010 A6 / S6: 15, low, very small sample size
2008 A6 / S6: 29, low, small sample size
2007 A6 / S6: 58, moderate, small sample size
2006 A6: 65, moderate
2005 A6: 107, moderate, small sample size

Plus, the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2006 A6: 49, 4

No stat for a model year? Then we very much need more participants for it. Same for those with small sample size notes. Next updates in August and November.

For repair descriptions, the stats for other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Audi A6 / S6 reliability

mkaresh

Our reliability stats for the A6 / S6 now cover the year ending June 30, 2015. (Others are over a year behind, and so report how these cars were doing when a year younger.)

Repair trips per 100 cars:

2010 A6 / S6: 13, low, very small sample size
2008 A6 / S6: 7, low, small sample size
2007 A6 / S6: 58, moderate, small sample size
2006 A6: 69, moderate
2005 A6: 140, high, small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2006 A6: 51, 4

If a model year isn't listed, or its sample size is small, then we especially need more owners involved.

For the descriptions of all reported repairs, results for other models, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Audi A6 / S6 reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the A6 / S6 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2015.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2010 A6 / S6: 59, moderate, very small sample size
2008 A6 / S6: 15, low, small sample size
2007 A6 / S6: 85, moderate, small sample size
2006 A6: 53, low
2005 A6: 88, moderate, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2006 A6: 58, 4

We'll have further updates in February and in May. Additional participants are needed to provide precise stats for all model years.

For the details, including repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Audi A6 / S6 reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the A6 / S6 to include owner experiences through the end of 2015, about eight months ahead of other sources. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year--lower is better:

2010 A6 / S6: 74, moderate, very small sample size
2008 A6 / S6: 16, low, small sample size
2007 A6 / S6: 48, low, small sample size
2006 A6: 54, low
2005 A6: 71, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2006 A6: 58, < 1

No stat, or a small sample size? Then we especially need more owners involved for that model year.

For the repairs behind these stats, reliability information on other models, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Audi A6 / S6 reliability ratings and comparisons

kelisko

Appreciate the info. Looks like end of cycle models are more reliable which makes sense.