Audi A6 Avant (2005 – 2011) Review

Audi A6 Avant (2005 – 2011) At A Glance

4/5

+Stunning looking and practical executive estate. At its best with quattro 4WD and the excellent 3.0 TDI engine.

-Back seat not comfortable for three across.

Insurance Groups are between 25–38
On average it achieves 87% of the official MPG figure

The Audi A6 Avant of 2005 is a big car, longer than the saloon and 4mm higher. It's also very beautiful, both sleek and perfectly proportioned, and that shape brings the added benefit of uncannily low wind noise.

Crucially, the roof is higher over the heads of rear seat passengers and comfortably accommodates three. The luggage area is long, and wide; more than a metre even between the rear wheelarches and 1.2 meters right at the back, which is handy for golf clubs. Seats up, there is 565 litres of loadspace to window level; seats down 1,660 litres to the roof.

 

Real MPG average for a Audi A6 Avant (2005 – 2011)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

87%

Real MPG

22–56 mpg

MPGs submitted

354

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Petrol estate cars - which is the most economical?

"I am about to replace my 2009 Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI. I want to buy another (used) estate car, but move away from diesel. Any suggestions?"
Maybe a Peugeot 308 1.2 Puretech 130 SW. Has 230Nm torque so no slouch. I'm getting 50mpg.
Answered by Honest John

Buying a used car suitable for winter driving

"I need to buy a used car: I’m currently considering a Audi A6 Quattro Avant or a BMW 535d Tourer – both have covered 100,000 miles. Also, as we live in the hills, would four-wheel drive be better than winter tyres on the 5 Series? "
Cold weather tyres are far better than four-wheel drive on snow. But obviously a quattro on cold weather or all weather tyres will be better still.
Answered by Honest John

Why is my air-con blowing hot?

"I noticed my air con was blowing hot air so yesterday I took it to a "specialist" who pressure tested and re-gassed it but it was still not getting cold. He then plugged it into his computer which I got charged for and the result was there is no electrical faults. His diagnosis was there may be a block in the system somewhere and he would have to replace bit by bit to find the problem which would be very expensive! There must be a easier and cheaper way to find the problem? The compressor works - the pressure gauge on his machine was going too high then the compressor cuts out?"
Reads to me that the electromagnetic clutch of the pump has failed.
Answered by Honest John

Buying an estate car?

"I am looking at getting an A6 Avant. If I go for an old shape 2011 plate with 15,000 miles on the clock I am looking at roughly £20k. If I look at the new shape with similar miles on the clock I am looking at £25k. I will pay the extra money but only if the car is that much better. I like the look of both cars so its just build and ride quality I am concerned with. What do you think?"
The current model was de-specced as standard and buyers had to pay extra to get the same level of spec as the older model. Also the V6TDI went FWD instead of quattro. So you need to compare carefully in value terms.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Audi A6 Avant (2005 – 2011) cost?