Used Buyers Guide

[RMcG]

Hi All,
I'm new to the forum and looking for a bit of buyers advice.
I'm considering a diesel A6 (saloon) as my next used car and would appreciate any info about common issues, what to look out for, what to avoid etc.

My initial thought was a V6, having just come out of a 3.0D V6 Jag XF, but I'm not set on that necessarily.
My regular mechanic has suggested the 2.0 over the V6, auto & non quattro.
His reasoning (don't shoot the messenger)
The V6 is more problematic and expensive to maintain.
Clutch & dual mass flywheels are expensive to replace. (this retired my old 2006 Avant 2.0d when it reached 250k miles)
Quattro more costly to maintain and there's little real benefit for day to day driving.

General useage will be mainly motorway miles of minimum 150 mile round trips.
An initial Auto Trader search is pulling up model years 2011 - 2014 based on budget and mileage of sub 125k.

Any pointers would be appreciated, apologies if there is already a buyers guide on the forum that I've missed that'll provide some answers.

cheers

[Whippy53]

2013 is a bit of sweet spot, pre face-lift so you avoid adblue, manual can have chocolate flywheel, auto will be CVT. Sunroof can and probably will leak, check auto boxes for regular servicing at 38k intervals. Normal issues with DPF and EGR valves, check front passenger carpets for signs of dampness, six pot is smoother, quattro usable in snow. Six pots can have issues with fluid leaks between banks and have timing chains that may need replacing at about 120k and it's engine out for that.

[RMcG]

2013 is a bit of sweet spot, pre face-lift so you avoid adblue, manual can have chocolate flywheel, auto will be CVT. Sunroof can and probably will leak, check auto boxes for regular servicing at 38k intervals. Normal issues with DPF and EGR valves, check front passenger carpets for signs of dampness, six pot is smoother, quattro usable in snow. Six pots can have issues with fluid leaks between banks and have timing chains that may need replacing at about 120k and it's engine out for that.


Many thanks for the info, appreciated.