Audi’s reliability as a manufacturer ranks 34th out of 40 on the Reliability Index, which shows that it is significantly below average. Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the other two significant German luxury automakers, do not much better, coming in at 30th and 31st, respectively.
On the other end of the scale are the dependable Japanese automakers Honda, Toyota, and Nissan, as well as the Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia. These automakers demonstrate their trust in the strength of their vehicles by providing warranties that are substantially longer, lasting 5 or 7 years.
The J.D. Power 2019 UK Vehicle Dependability Study, which evaluates manufacturers by “issues per 100 vehicles,” supports this subpar performance. They compiled feedback from 11,530 owners of newly registered vehicles between November 2015 and January 2018 and counted the problems they encountered between 12 and 36 months after buying the car. With 167 faults per 100 vehicles compared to an industry average of 119, Audi ranks 22nd out of 24 manufacturers. Peugeot takes first place with just a 77.
Consumer Reports presents a significantly more favorable picture. Audi has dropped three spots to seventh place in the 2019 Consumer Reports manufacturer dependability rankings, with an average reliability score of 60% and its most and least reliable models being the Audi Q5 and Audi A3 Saloon, respectively. Even if this study only takes into account 29 manufacturers, some of which are American (thought to be the polar opposite of “German engineering!”) this is still a much better outcome than in other studies.
These contradictory statistics make it impossible to determine whether or not Audi is one of the least dependable automakers. It’s probably more helpful to consider the typical issues that Audi vehicles experience as well as the cost of repairs.
In This Article...
Why is Audi untrustworthy?
Nevertheless, despite producing some excellent vehicles over the years and having the greatest of intentions, Audi has a history rife with issues, from major oil leaks and blown cylinders to widespread electronic failures.
Do Audis frequently experience issues?
When it comes to car design, Audi consistently receives high marks. According to a 2019 National Geographic story, the manufacturer was considering how the company’s designs would need to evolve as driving changed and was looking to the future.
But it’s evident that several Audi models need to improve their reliability before they can compete with brands like Toyota, Lexus, and Honda.
The manufacturer received a score of 195 in the most recent ReliabilityIndex surveys, ranking 34 out of 40 manufacturers. Although it is ranked 34th, it is crucial to note that it is closer to the brands at the top of the list than the ones in positions 35 to 40. Porsche is in 37th place and received a score of 355, while BMW is in 31st place with a score of 177.
A lot of cars have remarkably similar repair costs that are a little less expensive than Audi, which puts them in 36th place. When it comes to the average repair costs for Audi models, they are neither the lowest (152.72 for Daihatsu) nor the highest (Maserati at 1,128.28). Instead, they are roughly in the middle at 563.31.
According to ReliabilityIndex statistics, the average time it takes to fix a minor problem on an Audi is approximately three hours and four minutes. These are very precise numbers that account for every Audi on Warranty Direct’s books that has been taken to a mechanic.
Every year, Which? updates its Car Reliability Report, and the 20192020 results were just released. The magazine no longer includes manufacturers in a full list, although they do continue to give cars in the 03 and 38 age groups star ratings.
Which? Reliability statistics are based on survey responses collected over several months, and owners and drivers of Audi vehicles did not provide the positive feedback you might anticipate from a luxury brand.
When Which? analyzed the data from their surveys, they found that 26% (just over a quarter) of all owners had problems with their new Audis (03 years old). This amount is not seen as expensive for common problems that prompt a visit to a mechanic.
More disappointingly, 8.5 percent of owners had to have their car towed after a breakdown, which is startling. The fact that no specific problem is being cited as the cause of these malfunctions is probably what aggravates these owners the most. Faults might be anything from electric gremlins to engine failures. There isn’t much that can be done to fix a general issue with any particular model because the reason for these garage trips is so unpredictable.
There have been reports of issues with the suspension, cooling system, exhaust/emission system, and cam/timing belt in Audis that are 3 to 8 years old. These problems were deemed to be noteworthy since they were mentioned in the survey data frequently enough. Several owners reportedly reported that they encountered problems that were so severe that their automobiles would either not start at all or would stop in their tracks.
For new cars, Audi gets an average manufacturer rating of 3 stars, whereas older cars only get 2 stars. Although none of these scores is particularly outstanding, they do reflect the conclusions drawn from the ReliabilityIndex data.
Are Audi vehicles durable?
Out of 32 automotive manufactures, Audi is presently ranked 28th in terms of dependability. A well driven and maintained Audi should last between 10 and 13 years, or 150,000 to 200,000 kilometres. Audis are renowned for their technology, style, performance, and beautifully designed interiors. They also have an all-wheel drive system called Quattro.
Although the Audi brand dates back to 1899, it wasn’t until Volkswagen acquired the company in the late 1960s that the automobiles started to become well-known internationally. This fast car has always been at the forefront of technology.
Long before other automakers, the business started conducting crash tests, and in 2010, their first completely autonomous car successfully completed the 20-kilometer Pikes Peak circuit without a driver.
Despite the fact that Audi has many positive qualities, its dependability is not one of them. Audi is not an exception to the rule that high performance requires hefty upkeep.
What Audi is the most trustworthy?
10 Audi Vehicles That Are Extremely Reliable
- 8 2018-2019 Audi A5.
- 7 Allroad in 2019.
- 6 Quattro 1983
- 5 2009 A3.
- 4 2019 Audi Q5.
- 3 2020 Q7.
- 2 2018 RS6.
- 1 2019 TT.
Which is superior, BMW or Audi?
BMW’s vehicles, which are made to provide the “ultimate driving experience,” frequently outperform Audi in terms of handling. Because of their overall stronger suspension systems that promote a smooth, pleasant ride, Audi vehicles are significantly less agile than BMW vehicles. BMW is routinely ranked higher for reliability.
Is Toyota superior to Audi?
Yes, as a brand, Toyota makes dependable cars, but Audi also makes extremely dependable cars. Toyota and Audi were ranked second and third, respectively, in an industry-wide survey conducted by Consumer Reports in 2015, which included a reliability rating.
Is purchasing an Audi worthwhile?
The Drive states that the average Audi’s total maintenance expenses over a 10-year period are $12,400. For comparison, the 10-year averages for popular brands like Toyota, Ford, and Honda are $5,500, $9,100, and $7,200, respectively.
In the end, Audis cost more to maintain than the ordinary automobile for a number of reasons. You can anticipate greater charges for routine maintenance and some parts if you own an Audi. In addition to being more expensive to repair in general, Audi parts in particular are more expensive.
The upside to this is that they are more dependable than the ordinary car. Audis are reputed to be more dependable when it comes to new cars, but they do have a tendency to develop problems over time, which can be more expensive to replace.
Another thing to think about is insurance. Many Audis cost more to insure than the ordinary car due to their higher level of luxury. A typical year of insurance for an Audi costs $1,606 (USD), which is 36% more than the national average. Additionally, the cost of insurance varies across different models.
Due to the fact that Audi is a European brand, there are fewer parts available, which contributes significantly to the higher insurance costs.
FAQ: Audi Maintenance Cost
Audis are expensive to maintain as vehicles. The average annual cost of an Audi repair, according to RepairPal, is $987. This is significantly more than the $652 average across all brands. Because Audis are luxury automobiles and employ pricey speciality parts, their routine maintenance expenses are also probably a little more than those of most other types.
If maintained properly, almost any car, even an Audi, may last for many years. Audi owners claim to have kept their cars for up to 150,000 miles.
Audi automobiles do not include maintenance for nothing. Customers can, however, purchase Audi prepaid maintenance contracts. Some Audi dealers might provide free vehicle maintenance protection.
Is a secondhand Audi automobile reliable?
When trying to buy a new car on a tight budget, used car buyers have a lot more options available to them. Naturally, buying a used car comes with some risk that isn’t present when buying a new one, but by picking the correct brand and model, you can significantly lower that risk. Used Audi automobiles are a terrific option for individuals seeking for a used car they can rely on that also comes with a good dose of style and distinction because it’s no secret that Audi is a brand with an excellent reputation for quality and reliability.
It pays to do your homework before visiting a used car dealer to look at any used Audi vehicles if you’re going to be looking for them in Doncaster or anywhere else for that matter. Audi currently offers a wide, varied, and amazing selection of automobiles to suit a wide range of various buyers and uses, but this selection multiplies enormously once you start looking at used Audi vehicles from earlier model years.
Whether someone is searching for a compact car for commuting inside the city or town, a large SUV with three rows of seats for a large family, or anything in between, there really is an Audi for just about everyone. Here, we’ll examine the top five used Audis for a variety of purchasers looking for various qualities in their next used Audi.
1. Budget FunAudi TT
The two-door sports automobile known as the Audi TT has come to represent the Audi brand. Since it has been around since 1998, a variety of models that ranged in price from being moderately priced to being rather expensive when they were new, have made it possible for plenty of fun to be had for a very reasonable price.
Its design is readily identifiable and has undergone significant improvement throughout time. The early versions, which had a style that wasn’t a million miles away from a sporty take on a VW Beetle, are probably the most divisive. The newest models are considerably slimmer and feature a lot more contemporary front fascia, which is now a defining feature of the whole Audi lineup.
The primary advantage the TT has over other more exotic contenders to the title of “future-classic” is that buying one and keeping it won’t cost you a fortune. It’s a distinct possibility that well-cared-for early TTs will be future classics.
Models of the first generation were created between 1998 and 2006, those of the second generation were created between 2006 and 2014, and those of the third generation have been created since 2014 and are still being produced. A late second-generation model is an excellent investment because it may be reasonably priced, but it resembles the current TT’s design more than the first-generation models did.
2. Slim Executive
Audi A4
You truly can’t go wrong with the Audi A4 as a vehicle. It was put into production in 1994 to replace the previous Audi 80, and for almost 25 years now, customers have found it to be a popular option. It won’t pretend to be the most thrilling vehicle Audi has ever made, but it might undoubtedly stake a claim to being the most reasonable.
Before everyone decided they preferred SUVs, the midsize executive saloon market was among the most hotly contested in the automotive industry. Due to the intense competition, purchasers demanded nothing less than excellence from these vehicles, and the Audi A4 consistently ranked among the finest.
The A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes C Class are your three obvious options if you’re shopping for a secondhand midsize executive saloon. The Audi A4 offers a fantastic blend of all those qualities, but frequently at a more enticing price. The BMW may be the best driver’s car and the C Class may be the most prestigious. A used Audi A4 will also be far less expensive to operate and maintain than many of its competitors in its class.
Check out versions from the third generation onward, especially the diesels, which are quite dependable and reasonably priced to buy and operate.
3. Audi R8 supercar
Although the Audi TT RS is a tremendously quick performance sports vehicle, the Audi R8 is unbeatable if you’re seeking for a truly exceptional sports car. The R8 belongs to the supercar category, but it’s a supercar you can use on a daily basis, and early examples are currently available for an alluring price.
Even an early R8, which has been in production since 2006, doesn’t resemble a car with a 14-year-old design. Despite the supercar-like performance and design, used car buyers shouldn’t worry too much about the mechanical issues. A few V8 cars had issues with the bottom-end bearings, but if you look for a decent service history, you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
But the bodywork is one thing should pay particular attention to. When a car performs like this, accidents are frequently a given, and fixing a badly repaired R8 may be very expensive. If you discover a good R8, you can get a real supercar for less than 30,000 if you inspect it well yourself or have someone who is knowledgeable about these things do so.
Fourth-Generation All-Rounder Audi Q5
Audi had the smaller, more affordable Q5 in the works, which would end up being a more significant model for the brand and the industry as a whole, when the excellent Q7 was competing against the Range Rover Sport in 2005 to see which could be sold on the used car market for the largest sum over the new list price to impatient buyers.
The Q5 is possibly the sweet spot in the crossover SUV market since it offers all the room, functionality, and adaptability a family needs without having a price tag that makes it unaffordable for individuals who don’t make the equivalent of a Premier League footballer.
Since the Q5 has been available to us since 2008, even the early models are fantastic deals for a family on a tight budget. Since the second generation didn’t appear until the 2018 model year, you can find a 2009 Audi A5 with respectable mileage for as little as 8,000 dollars that won’t look at all out of date.
5. Cheapest Car Available
Audi A8
It’s difficult to look past a used Audi A8 if you want the most vehicle for your money. It’s probably a bit remarkable that this Audi has managed to stay in production since it was introduced back in 1994 considering how few of them actually sell brand new around the world.
The A8 is a full-size luxury vehicle that you often see finely dressed chauffeurs driving about UN diplomats in. You’ll need to spend at least $72,000 on a brand-new one, but it’s not impossible to spend that much money. The good news about the A8 is that used car purchasers can benefit from this vehicle’s Achilles heel, its eye-watering depreciation, by taking advantage of it.
Even a brand-new A8 with only a few weeks on it and hardly any miles on the odometer might be an incredible deal. A brand-new A8 S-Line 50 TDI Quattro that fits the description will cost up to 80,000, but you shouldn’t have any trouble saving 20,000 by choosing a pre-registered or ex-demo vehicle.
Older versions can still be purchased for a good price, but we’re not talking about dated old smokers here. It’s not impossible to find an Audi A8 from 2015 or later for well under 20,000, and even a car that is only one year old can cost less than it did when it was brand new.
With every feature you could possibly imagine and a presence that’s impossible to match at this kind of expense, these cars represent the pinnacle of quality, style, distinction, and refinement. In fact, buying a used Audi A8 can save you so much cash that you might even have extra cash to hire a chauffeur to complete the appearance.
There are, of course, many other Audi models that make excellent used purchases. For instance, the A5 is a sportier, more fashionable version of the incredibly adaptable A4. Unfortunately, costs are frequently far higher than they are for the A4, which is why it entered our list.
The popular Audi A3, a little hatchback with early models that can be found for very little money and make a strong, dependable used purchase, is another vehicle that is unquestionably worthy of notice.