The higher order dipole-octopole polarizability E of sulfur hexafluoride has been determined from isotropic and anisotropic collision-induced light scattering (CILS) experiments of pure SF6 gas and from anisotropic light scattering of its mixture with inert gases. The CILS spectra are analyzed by using the new updated and different intermolecular potentials. Our final estimates for this property is vertical bar E vertical bar = 96.405 +/- 12.045 a.u. which is in excellent agreement with the ab initio theoretical value. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.