Despite Audi being placed in the 34th position on the latest reliability index listing, its score is much closer to the highest car brands on the list than it is to the others that are lagging behind it. The most common problems that an Audi driver bumps into are oil leaks, emission problems and electrical component issues.
What are the most common issues Audi cars have?
If you are looking to buy a new or a used Audi, you should be aware of the overall costs of maintenance, fuel usage and annual ownership in total. Moreover, you should be prepared for the most common issues Audi cars have on the road. These usually vary from small oil leaks to clunking engine noises and electrical malfunctions.
Just like any car, you need to be familiar with your Audi before heading on long journeys. The most common issues are listed below:
Timing belt issues
This is one of the more expensive common repair issues Audi cars have. The timing belt is a part of the engine which synchronizes the rotation of the camshafts. It’s a malfunction that can be prevented by the regular servicing of your Audi every 6 months.
On the other hand, proper maintenance does not give you a 100 % guarantee that you won’t experience any issues with your vehicle. If you do not replace a damaged timing belt, your car will most likely also suffer piston damage, which can be even more expensive to replace.
Some Audis fall victim to a failing spark plug
This is hands down the most common issue a driver might meet when trying to start his Audi. A failed spark plug causes ignition failure. It is not costly and is easily replaceable. Of course, these components should be replaced with parts from an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and can also be replaced after some time preventatively.
If you go for a preventive replacement, make sure to tune your new spark plug with the engine according to the factory specs of your Audi model.
Audis might experience oil leaks
Many Audi engines experience oil leaks that can cause damage to the electronics of the engine and sometimes cause a fire if not serviced on time. If you see an oil leak in your Audi, this might mean that your engine has suffered internal damage and needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
If you leave the repair for later, that might cause further damage that will end up costing you even more. So, if you see an oil leak or your car’s check engine light comes on, get it checked out right away.
Electrical component malfunctions
The most common electrical issues Audis experience are fluctuating lights and rear lights sometimes ceasing to function at all. On the other hand, these are pretty easy to replace and although quite commonly reported, are not very expensive. Everything else in Audi electronics is quite reliable and durable.
Clunking sounds and emission issues
Emission issues can be a costly thing to fix. Of course, not all models experience the issue, but some of them often suffer from malfunctioning catalytic converters. This leads to a carbon build-up which damages the recirculation system of your car, as well as the converter.
Clunking sounds are common in many car brands and models. This is nothing Audi specific but if your new car makes any clunking sounds while you start or drive it, there is probably a problem to be fixed.
For example, if you hear the clunking sounds only when taking turns, then it would most likely mean that your CV Axleboot has lost its grease and needs to be checked as soon as possible. If not fixed soon, it will cause further erosion of some parts, which are more costly to repair.
You might be wondering if it is a good idea to buy a used Audi.
Which are the most reliable Audi cars?
Some models perform better than others in terms of reliability. Although there isn’t an official list and ranking of specific comparison, most sources state that the Audi TT, A3 and A4 are far more reliable than other models.
The reasons for that are their scores of 190 by Reliability Index. The Audi TT leads the charts, followed by the A3 and A4. Consumer reporting company Which? and the Reliability Index agree that the TT is the most reliable Audi of all time. The average cost of repairs for the model is around 600 Euros/ $750, and less serious problems take around 2 to 3 hours to repair.
Which are the least reliable Audi Cars?
According to Which? and Reliability Index, the three models with the most common issues and manufacturer defects are the Audi A8, Q7 and Q5. These models scored relatively high scores of 280 in the Reliability Index review, but on the other hand, were ranked only 2 stars by Which?, even when they tested brand new cars.
The Audi Q5, A8, Q7 and A7 not only have more issues than other Audis, but they also have higher repair costs and take longer repair times as well. And despite not being the most reliable cars, Audis are not in the bottom of the pack, but in the middle.
FAQs about buying an Audi
Does the cheap price of used Audis mean they have issues?
Used Audis cost more on average to fix than new ones. It is common to see people upgrading German cars when they hit the 5-year warranty for exactly that same reason. The lower price of a used Audi does not necessarily mean it has more issues than others, but taking a closer look should not be neglected when inspecting used cars in general.
How long do Audi cars last?
With a good amount of maintenance Audi cars can last up to 200,000 miles. Of course, that number depends on how good you have taken care of your car. With good, non-perfect maintenance and regular servicing, most Audi models can last up to 120,000 miles or almost 200,000 kilometers.
Are Audis worth the money?
Some models like the Audi A3 and A4 entry-level luxury sedans are some of the best in the field and do not cost as much as you would expect such high-level cars to cost. On the other hand, there are some models like the Q7 and A8 which might be a bit overpriced and the standard models might lack features that less expensive competitor models could bring.
