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.
Is buying an Audi worthwhile?
The luxury and sophistication associated with the Audi name are typically very expensive. Although purchasing a new Audi may be a wise investment, not everyone wants to pay new-Audi costs. However, you don’t have to buy a new Audi to receive a decent Audi because it is one of the top luxury manufacturers available.
Which Audi model should you buy?
Idealistically, the Audi A5 is an A4 with a high-end, premium body design. The Audi A5 is a fantastic vehicle from Audi and is among the best in its small premium car category. It has a wonderful balance of extravagance, performance, and interactive elements. A fun and engaging driving experience is provided by its nimble engine and cutting-edge, sophisticated transmission.
The Audi-signature style interior is incredibly cozy and soothing. The 2L I-4 engine from the A4 produces roughly 248 horsepower in the sportback variant and cabriolet, and a solid 349 horsepower in the S5. The A5 doesn’t have a manual transmission for the 2020 model year.
Audi maintenance costs are they high?
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.
Why you must never purchase a used Audi
One of the “big three” German luxury car manufacturers is Audi (the other two being BMW and Mercedes). But even there, what sets Audi apart is how reasonably priced it is for a luxury car that is loaded with the newest and greatest in terms of technology, safety systems, inside materials, and outside aesthetics. Even the most affordable new Audi model may be out of many people’s price range. Fortunately, there is a cost-effective way to enjoy this opulent brand: purchase a pre-owned Audi car.
The following is a brief overview of the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a used Audi and explains why a pre-owned luxury car should rank highly among your purchase criteria:
Pros of Buying a Used Audi Vehicle
- A more luxurious car for less money If you’re thinking about purchasing a used Audi car, you’re probably torn between doing so and purchasing a brand-new non-luxury car. Finer materials, such as wooden trim and ergonomic features, are used extensively in luxury brands like Audi. Additionally, they have higher-quality, finer-tuned engines that are designed to deliver more power and have longer lives.
- decreased depreciation Vehicles are assets that lose value over time by nature. Regardless of whether you buy a new luxury or non-luxury car, you can anticipate suffering a significant loss in value as soon as you leave the dealership. This might be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on a number of different circumstances. According to Edmunds, the average midsize automobile that costs just under $28,000 will have lost almost $7,500 in value by the end of the first year of ownership. A good move to avoid this first decline and benefit from a car that keeps its worth better is to purchase a used Audi.
- superior dealer advantages You can also take advantage of a ton of benefits if you purchase a used Audi from an authorized dealer like Audi Richfield. Benefits including free use of a loaner car during extended service and possible longer warranties with Certified Pre-Owned Audi vehicles.
Cons of Buying a Used Audi Vehicle
- obsolete technology A 2004 used Audi won’t have the same technology as a new 2017 Honda or Audi, despite the fact that luxury vehicles like Audi do contain cutting-edge technology for the year they are produced.
- 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. By selecting a Certified Pre-Owned Audi with its extended warranties, you can reduce these fees. Furthermore, if service milestones, proper care and maintenance guidelines, and suggestions are followed, a used car can occasionally show to be more dependable than a new one. Check the CARFAX report of any used car you are considering purchasing to discover how it performed over the course of its existence.
- Almost no warranty This again depends on your travels and the vehicle you choose. You cannot receive a warranty transfer from a used Audi sold by a private party, but you may receive one for some used Audis bought from an Audi dealership.
Visit Audi Richfield Today to See the Used Audi Vehicle Difference
Used cars vary widely from one another. Visit Audi Richfield today to experience the superior quality of a used Audi. We are easily accessible from the airport and nearby Minneapolis-St. Paul neighborhoods like Eden Prairie, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, and St. Louis Park. Our location is right off 494, close to the airport. Visit us right now!
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.
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.
Is BMW superior to Audi?
Whether you purchase a luxury or non-luxury vehicle, safety is always a top priority. Likewise, handling and dependability.
Safety features decrease the likelihood of a collision, which could result in cheaper insurance costs; they may also make a vehicle easier to drive. A car’s reliability makes it less likely to break down, lowering the risk of accidents and potential repair costs. Which is therefore superior, Audi or BMW, in these two areas?
It should not be a surprise that both of these luxury automakers put safety first in order to satisfy their customers. Both brands offer a wide range of features for their many automobile types, with the majority of Audi vehicles using the Pre Sense Suite and BMW models using the BMW Active Guard.
Blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warnings are frequently provided by both brands. Cruise control, parking assistance, and hill-start assistance are further features. These automakers have received multiple honors for their emphasis on safety, and in 2021, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded Audi its Top Safety Pick designation for its A6 vehicle. For its 2020 BMW X3 Series, BMW has been named the Top Safety Pick.
BMW’s vehicles are built to provide the best driving experience possible, frequently outperforming Audi in 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.
Does Audi outperform Mercedes?
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.
Which is superior, a Mercedes, an Audi, or a BMW?
Therefore, now that we’ve analyzed the three manufacturers, which brand should you choose? Mercedes, BMW, or Audi? Which will provide you with the most opulent driving experience that is tailored to your requirements?
It’s crucial to remember that all three automakers value quality. So you’d be okay choosing any of the three if you’re looking for a cozy, comfy trip.
Audi frequently beats out rivals if you want to put appearances above everything else. BMW is the best option if you want a joyful, exciting driving experience. Mercedes remains the king of power, safety, and speed. Check out this article about Mercedes-Benz costs if you’re interested in learning more details about that last brand in particular.
Which German vehicle is the most dependable?
One of the most dependable brands on the international market, Volkswagen is the marquee brand for the Volkswagen Group.
The German government founded Volkswagen in 1937 with the goal of giving the populace a dependable automobile that was inexpensive for the average driver, hence the appellation “people’s vehicle.”
Volkswagen is known for a wide range of vehicles, from beloved family and young driver favorites like the Golf and Polo to legendary movie stars like the Beetle.
The Beetle was so well-liked that it survived in production for decades before finally being stopped in 2018. It was partially created by famed automaker Ferdinand Porsche, who later went on to found his own firm.
Due to their low costs, dependable engineering, roomy interiors, and all the modern amenities that drivers require today, the Golf and Polo continue to be among of the most popular hatchbacks on the market and are steadfast family favorites.