Is Audi reliable?
67% of the 134 Audis we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 64/100 — they tend to be in slightly better shape than average.
#20 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~176k~107k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles134
Audis inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 60/100Based on 134 used Audis we inspected, they tend to be in slightly better shape than average — average condition 64/100 vs 60 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
63%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
47%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
40%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
31%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
28%
Share of inspected Audis where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 18%
Good 49%
Mediocre 26%
Poor 7%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Audis.
75%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 76%
3%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
27%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
Compare with another brand:
Cross-shopping? Audi vs BMW · Audi vs Lexus · Audi vs Mercedes
How long does a Audi last?
Across every Audi body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~107k miles. It ranks Audi #20 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~176k. Shopping a Audi near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of Audis in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
Is Audi getting better?
▲ Newer Audis are holding up better
Share of Audis in good shape (60+/100) when inspected at the same age — 5–10 years old, age-adjusted — by model-year generation; the dashed line is the all-brand average. Compare every brand's trajectory →
Audi models we've inspected
Recently inspected:
2021 Audi Q5 · 32k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition (12v), tires condition & wear. Inspected Jul 11.
2023 Audi A5 · 37k mi — flagged: battery condition, vibration, comfort system central control module. Inspected Jul 3.
The bottom line
Oil leaks and active error codes dominate the issues on these cars, so your first moves should be a careful under-hood check for seepage plus a full diagnostic scan. Stick to the 2018 and newer generation where age-adjusted condition holds up best, and be wary once mileage approaches 107,000 where things typically drop off. Use cracked suspension bushings or worn tires as bargaining chips, but walk away from any example already showing heavy oil leaks or signs of cleared codes.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems with a used Audi?
Across the Audis we inspected, the items we flag most often are oil leaks (63%), active error codes (47%), tires condition & wear (40%).
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Are newer Audis more reliable than older ones?
Yes — comparing generations at the same age (5–10 years old), newer Audis hold up clearly better than the early-2010s ones.
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Based on 134 inspections · updated Jul 12, 2026
