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...
Do Audis frequently experience issues?
Everyone is aware that effective marketing can enable someone to sell sand in the Sahara. In order to obtain useful insight into the attitudes and trends in the automotive sector, Warrantywise, the top-rated provider of vehicle warranties in the UK, conducts a thorough amount of research and polls.
Warrantywise polled 750 British drivers to find out which automakers they considered to be the most dependable, and Audi made it into the top 10. Audi actually placed 28th out of 36 brands on their “Dependability Rating” scale for reliability in 2019. Based on the quantity of reported problems and breakdowns, they determined the rating.
Website for auto repair estimates RepairPal determines each brand’s overall score by calculating the frequency and cost of all repairs, including parts and labor. Audi received an average rating of 3.0 out of 5.0 at the time of writing. However, out of 32 car brands, that places the firm in 28th place.
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.
Repairs on Audis are they expensive?
Additionally, CARCHEX contracts have affordable prices. The terms for bumper-to-bumper protection on a 2017 Honda CR-V with 45,000 kilometers are as follows:
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 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.
Why is an Audi so erratic?
From the small Audi A1 Sportback to the spacious Audi Q7 SUV, Audi provides a wide variety of automobiles. They’ve also experimented with hybrid and electric vehicles, with the Audi E-Tron Sportback being praised as a strong entry into the field of green vehicles.
Audi’s share a lot of its architecture and underpinnings with Volkswagen, though high-tech features and cabin materials are entirely unique to Audi.
But does that imply that Audi automobiles are prone to the same problems as VWs? In our post comparing the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, you can see how the two stack up.
Will you discover the same problems if you only look at Audi, from the most popular Audi A4 Saloon to high-performance sports cars like the Audi R8 Coupe?
The data below, which comes from Reliability Index, shows the different problem types that Audi owners report, how much of the total number of defects they make up, and how Audi stacks up against other manufacturers in each category.
- 16th place, 2.43 percent, was air conditioning.
- Fifth, 14.10 percent: Axle and Suspension
- System of Brakes: 7th, 3.56 percent
- System for cooling and heating: 31st, 7.83 percent
- 29th place, 23.13 percent: electrical
- 39th, 30.21 percent for the engine
- 28th, 7.10 percent: Fuel System
- 23rd, 6.06 percent: gearbox
- System for steering – seventh, 2.85 percent
- 20th place for transmission, 2.74 percent
The engine, cooling and heating system, electrical components, and fuel system seem to be the most frequently affected systems. We may perhaps explain why Audi receives lower marks for things like electrical components, despite the fact that these are some of the most expensive items to fix.
When compared to Skoda and Vauxhall, Audi delivers a ton more functionality. They provide a fairly extensive infotainment system with sat-nav and various touch screens, similar to many other luxury brands. The number of potential problems increases if you include features like cruise control, driver safety systems, and all the cameras, sensors, electrically operated seats, and other bells and whistles that the best new cars from these luxury companies come equipped with. Audi outperforms all other top luxury automobile manufacturers (apart from Jaguar) in this category, including Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.
What is the most typical Audi issue?
Although Audis are cherished assets, they share typical maintenance difficulties with most other premium vehicles. Even though some of these problems are specific to Audi, you should not let that stop you from appreciating this beautiful antique. The top seven Audi problems, their fixes, and repair costs are shown below.
- Electrical component problems
- Audi frequently has electrical component failure. The most frequent issues, according to owners, are inconsistent lights, failed tail lamps, and digital dashboard display or console failure. Only straightforward OE equipment replacement of the components will function. Additionally, Audi has warranty coverage, so replacement parts and repairs won’t cost a fortune.
- Ignition coil or spark plug failure
- The most frequent mechanical issue with an Audi is failure of the ignition coil. It is one of the main causes of engine misfire. Installing high-quality OE spark plugs and adjusting the engine to factory specifications are the solutions.
- Changing out the catalytic converters
- The main cause of catalytic converter failure is clogging or carbon buildup that solidifies and obstructs the exhaust flow. Catalytic converter replacement is not a long-term fix. Make sure the mechanic begins by identifying the root of the problem. Prevent catalytic converter failure by periodically tuning and maintaining the engine.
- Recirculation of Exhaust Gas (EGR)
- EGR primarily functions as a technique to reduce combustion chamber temperatures. EGR is plagued by carbon build-up and wear and tear.
- Oil Spills
- There are two potential sources of oil leaks in an Audi: the valve cover gasket and the camshaft tensioner. Depending on which component is leaking, the remedy is to replace either one or both.
- Changing the oxygen sensor
- It shouldn’t be difficult to replace an oxygen sensor, and most owners choose to do it themselves.
- Unstable fuel caps
- One of the underappreciated causes of low mileage has been loose fuel caps. After refueling, make sure to tighten the fuel caps or replace them if they are damaged. Your car’s mileage may increase as a result of these minor adjustments.
The majority of the problems we covered can be resolved by routine car maintenance. If you take good care of your car, it will serve as your loyal friend for many years. Happy Travels!
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.
Which is superior, Mercedes or Audi?
Audi is a clear choice when it comes to performance and dependability since Mercedes only offers all-wheel drive on a few of its models while Audi is all about it. Speaking of which, in a road test conducted by Consumer Reports, Audi defeated Mercedes as the most dependable brand.
Why are oil changes for an Audi so expensive?
These varying prices for an Audi oil change can often be attributed to three things:
The price of the oil filter varies, much like the price of the oil itself, and it is typically advised to change it whenever you change your oil.
Most modern Audis require specialized synthetic oil, which typically costs more than standard motor oil.
Depending on the quality and level of performance of the oil, the actual pricing will change.
Visiting your local Audi service center for an oil change will provide you access to specialized knowledge and genuine parts, but you may expect to pay more than you would at a regular car repair shop.
You should also keep in mind that the price of an oil change for your Audi is divided into two parts: the cost of the actual parts and the cost of the labor. For instance, the average cost of the parts and labor for changing the oil in an Audi Q5 are $71 and $75, respectively.
However, you’ll discover that labor costs vary depending on your region, the service location, and the state of the market, but the cost of parts is typically more consistent.
Are oil changes more expensive for an Audi?
Since most mass-market vehicles only cost between $35 and $75 for an oil change, Audi will always have higher maintenance expenditures than the average vehicle on the road.
This is primarily due to the fact that Audi is a luxury vehicle, comparable to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, and as a result, needs more expensive oil and specific filters. It costs more to maintain an Audi in top shape, but doing so will allow you keep driving it for many years to come.
Can I fill up my Audi with ordinary gas?
The most noticeable difference between premium and regular fuel, according to data from True Car, is fuel economy. However, standard gasoline has an octane rating of 87, while premium gasoline has a higher rating between 91 and 93.
In general, normal gasoline is safe to use in the majority of current automobiles. Many older Audi vehicles will function just as well on ordinary fuel as they will on premium, unless your specific model calls for premium.
Audi, for example, contributed to the development of the Top Tier Gasoline standard for premium fuels, which calls for a greater proportion of additional detergents than the EPA mandates. According to the argument, a lower additive concentration results in more debris deposits on engine parts like the fuel injector and intake valves, which decreases engine efficiency and raises emissions.
Why you must never purchase a used Audi
additional upkeep Naturally, a used Audi will have more miles and signs of wear and tear than a brand-new one. This implies that it will probably require more costly repairs earlier than a new car of a different make.