Audi has a reputation as a forward-thinking brand that prides itself on staying ahead of the curve when it comes to technology and comfort.
You can choose from popular Audi SUVs, wagons, sportbacks, sedans, coupes, convertibles, hybrids, and electric vehicles.
From the Q5 Sportback to the R8 Spyder, they are packed with the comfort and amenities that you expect from a luxury brand.
If you are thinking about a new or used Audi, one of the questions you might have is how much they cost to maintain.
Compared to other luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes, Audi’s are comparatively cheaper to maintain on average. The most commonly reported issues requiring maintenance include problems with their electrical components, ignition system, oil leaks, and exhaust system.
With that in mind, let’s take a deeper look to learn where and when you can expect maintenance costs for an Audi.
Do Audi’s Need a Lot of Maintenance?
Audi is considered a reliable brand when you keep up with scheduled maintenance, such as oil changes.
The basic warranty offered by Audi on a new car is four years or 50,000 miles.
This is in line with the typical warranty offered by other comparable manufacturers, like Volvo.
Audi offers a wide variety of models and trims.
In terms of quality, they show considerable variability in reliability and the amount of maintenance they need.
Many popular models, like the Q7, have been redesigned in the last several years.
Typically, when a model is redesigned, the engineers consider any known flaws and attempt to fix them.
The luxury car class is highly competitive when it comes to quality and reliability, which means that you can expect better dependability from vehicles in this class.
Luxury car owners expect more from their brand, and Audi has stiff competition to meet these demands.
You can expect them to break less often, but when they do, it can mean a trade-off with more expensive repair costs.
Audi Regular Service and Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, costs can be divided into scheduled service that is considered a normal part of car ownership and the replacement of parts that break or fail.
Normal maintenance includes things like an oil change, fluid top-up, tire rotation, and radiator flush.
You can find the recommended maintenance schedule in your Owner’s Manual.
Performing scheduled maintenance from the beginning will help you avoid major repairs and will help you get a long life from your Audi.
The cost for regular service is highly variable, depending on the area where you live.
If you are an average driver, you can expect to have your Audi serviced about every 10,000 miles or once a year.
Minor services, like oil changes, oil filters, air filters, and inspection cost between $112-$200 in most areas.
Less frequent services, like transmission maintenance, cost between $200-$400.
Depending on your model, you can expect to pay between $800-$1,200 for brake service that includes brake pads and rotors.
The cost for parts ranges from $70 for a cheap set of pads to $270 for high-performance brake pads.
The cost will also vary depending on whether you have the service performed at a private shop, dealership, or a shop that specializes in Audi.
Costs for Audi Repair
Keeping your Audi serviced will help cut down on repair costs over time, but eventually, parts wear out and need to be fixed or replaced.
The cost for repairs depends on your model, year, where you live, and where you have the work performed.
In general, you can expect to pay more for repairs on a luxury brand.
The cost to repair recent year models might require specialized knowledge or certifications due to complex computer systems that are becoming an increasing part of modern cars.
According to RepairPal, Audi needs to have repairs twice as often as the industry average.
It costs about 1/3 more than most vehicles and many of the repairs tend to be more severe.
Here are a few examples of what you can expect to pay for different types of repair.
- Audi A4 Quattro catalytic converter replacement: $1,775-$1,850
- Audi A6 Quattro anti-lock braking system control module replacement: $1,271-$1,343
- Audi A4 valve cover gasket replacement: $187-$272
These are only a few examples of what you can expect for repairs on certain models.
Now, let’s explore some of the more common problems for which Audis are notorious.
Most Common Audi Repairs
Every car manufacturer has strengths and weaknesses, and Audi is no exception.
Overall, Audis are known for quality and have few problems if maintained, but they do experience some common problems.
Here are a few of the more common problems that people report.
1. Electrical Components
Audis have some of the most advanced technology and systems of any brand. Unfortunately, they did not spend as much time protecting the electrical systems, and they are prone to rust.
Wiring wearing out and corrosion at the connections are common problems. These issues can cause anything from the tail lights failing to computer component failure.
The average cost for diagnosing the problem is between $130-$200, and replacement of faulty components can cost between $200-$1,000.
2. Ignition System Failure
Failure of the spark plugs and ignition system is a common problem, causing the car to suddenly fail to start.
The cost to replace the spark plugs ranges between $170-$200, and the ignition coils average $250-$380.
These repairs can be reduced by purchasing high-performance spark plugs and quality parts when having regular maintenance performed.
You might pay more for the spark plugs, but you are less likely to be stranded.
3. Exhaust Problems
Audis are also known for exhaust leaks at the catalytic converter. The design of the exhaust system on many Audi models causes them to bend and pull apart at the joint to the exhaust pipe.
The solution to the problem is to replace the catalytic converter, which costs between $1,590-$1,650.
This is an issue that Audi has attempted to remedy in more recent models.
4. Oil Leaks
Oil leaks are a problem that has developed in more recent models with high-efficiency engines.
The most common symptoms are the smell of burning oil, smoking from under the hood, and oil dripping underneath the vehicle.
The most common cause is a leaking valve cover or worn gaskets and seals.
Most seals cost between $135-$260 depending on where it is located.
Having your seals and gaskets regularly inspected and replaced before they fail can help remedy this problem.
How Long Will an Audi Last?
The A3, A4, and A6 are Audi’s top-selling models. They range between $2,800 to $3,500 in repair costs over four years.
This takes into account the more common problems listed above.
By comparison, a BMW costs about $17,000 over ten years, and an Audi costs about $12,400 over the same period.
Mercedes-Benz comes in at $12,900, and Lexus comes in at $7,000.
Audi is a reliable brand, and if you purchase a new Audi and keep it properly serviced and maintained, you can expect it to easily reach 150,000 miles before major repairs are needed.
There are many instances of Audis lasting 250,000 miles or more.
The question becomes one of whether you are willing to put the money into repairing it when major parts begin to break or whether you would rather buy a new car.
Audi is a luxury brand that is known for its reliable performance, and in general, they are considered a high-quality brand.
When it comes to the total cost of ownership, they can be more expensive because they are a luxury-class brand.
Audi owners tend to love them and are willing to pay the higher costs to keep them running for a long time.
