Oil Level - difficult to measure?

I'm trying to monitor the oil level on my 3.0TDi Allroad.
However, it seems really difficult to get a reasonable indication from the dipstick - when I clean it, reinsert, then gently remove, there seems to be oil over all of the plastic part, making it very difficult to measure. I'm not convinced whether it's a genuine measure or whether the dipstick is getting fouled on the way back up the tube.The rather convoluted route that the dipstick takes doesn't seem to help.
Is this typical? I'm hoping it is, and that this isn't because of an injector problem?

are you doing this with a cold engine or hot engine straight after a run ? i find its oil that in the tube and best to wait at least 30 mins after a run to allow all the oil to drain down to the sump.

I have no problems like that. Dipstick stays clean and reading is clear.

I'm having the same problem after changing the oil.

Put 3.8 litres in and it only just shows on the bottom of the stick...

In 6 years I never had an issue reading the oil level.

@Chris Mack, which engine do you have? The V6's use ~9L.

2.0 tdi, I missed the 3.0 lyrics bit...

I've had this problem too, it was most disconcerting! However, the answer is fairly straight forward...

The solution is that you MUST consistently get the car on level ground. (My drive was only slightly out, and to my amazement it was that which was causing the difficulty measuring.) To set up the best spot I literally used a small spirit level in the square console recess under the elbow rest as a datum, or indeed the door sill. I now use a local multistorey (as its designed level) parking space. Same one every time.

Next always measure at 90c normal operating temperature, after letting the car stand a couple of minutes first (allowing higher level oil to drop back down). Pull the dipstick, wipe clean and then dip all the way down (not just to the first stop of plastic, but right in), then out fairly smartly. You should now see the line!

Adjust oil level very cautiously, as it doesn't take much to adjust the level, no more than 100ml at a time (I learned hard way and had to get some taken out by vacuum!)

As an aside, I always smell the oil on the dipstick to gross check for diesel in the fuel (none thank goodness), and keep a level check and periodic envelope drip test for peace of mind.

I have noticed as well that is difficult to read oil level from dipstick on my 2.0 tdi CR. In manual is written that oil reading should be completed few minutes after the engine is switched off and oil temperatures is at least 60 degrees. I am monitoring it every Sunday on cold engine (together with all other liquids and visual checking for any leakage) as it is more easy.
WG can you explain what is envelope drip test?

@Novica

I drip a single drop of oil onto a piece of card/envelope to enable a visual analysis of the oil.

Many thanks all, a combination of a slightly sloping drive and cold oil didn't help - I dipped it today in a flat car park and the oil level was easy to read and right where it should be!