Are Audis Expensive To Maintain?
Although it’s better nowadays, German cars just can’t shake off their reputation of being expensive to maintain, especially with luxury brands. To be quite honest, there’s a grain of truth to those claims, especially when you look at brands like BMW and Mercedes Benz. German cars are generally from luxury brands, so they use premium parts and special services, so such claims aren’t unfounded.
Does that ring true for another German brand, Audi? Are Audis expensive to maintain? If you own an Audi or have your eye on one, you’re likely wondering about its “true cost to own,” including its repair and maintenance costs. Lucky for you, we’re here to help.
Today’s post will highlight Audi’s German powerhouse car brand and its reliability, repair, and maintenance costs. Is Audi a reliable car brand? How much will you pay to repair and maintain an Audi? We’ll answer these questions and more below.
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Audi Vehicles: Are They Reliable?
When determining how expensive to maintain a car, it’s essential to look at its reliability. Audi has made some of the most luxurious and stylish performance cars today. However, Audi vehicles aren’t exactly known for their reliability; it’s, in fact, the opposite. According to RepairPal, Audi has a 3.0 out of 5.0, putting it in 28th place out of 32 brands.
RepairPal uses three main criteria to determine reliability: average annual repair costs, frequency of repairs, and the probability of severe repairs. Based on those metrics, here’s how Audi performed:
- Average annual repair cost = $987 per year. Compared with all brands, the average annual repair cost is only $657. If you’re an Audi owner, you should be ready to pay close to a thousand bucks in unscheduled repairs and maintenance.
- Average visits per year = 0.8 times a year. This stat is almost twice the general average of 0.4 times a year for all models and brands. Audi owners are expected to bring their vehicles to the shop close to one time each year.
- Probability of major repairs = 13% of repairs. Unfortunately, Audi didn’t do well in repair severity by having 13% of repairs counted as severe. However, it’s only slightly higher than the general average of 12% across all models.
At this point, you should now be able to answer the question: are Audis expensive to maintain? To help finance your maintenance costs, the company offers the Audi Care package, which is essentially a prepaid maintenance plan. This plan helps protect against the cost of inflation, but it’s debatable whether it’s worth it in the long run.
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The Costs of Maintaining an Audi
Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular Audi models and their ownership costs and reliability ratings.
Audi A3 Maintenance Costs
The Audi A3 is an excellent all-rounder that ticks all the right boxes for a high-performance sedan. According to RepairPal, the Audi A3 has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking 4th out of 17 luxury compact vehicles.
The Audi A3 is considered an entry-level model, and thankfully it applies to its maintenance costs. The annual repair cost for the A3 is $741, lower than the average for luxury compact cars at $801. Furthermore, the A3 also has a decent stat in repair frequency at 0.5 times a year, also lower compared to the 0.7 times for all luxury compact models.
Audi A4 Quattro Maintenance Costs
The Audi A4 Quattro brings the quintessential luxury sedan sports car experience, thanks to its athletic handling, posh interior, and plenty of tech features. The A4 Quattro scored a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0, putting it in 21st place out of 31 luxury midsize cars.
In addition, A4 Quattro owners will likely pay an average of $925 per year for unscheduled repairs, which is a lot higher than the average for luxury midsize at $739. Owners will probably visit the shop 0.7 times per year, and 14% of the repairs are likely to be major ones.
Audi Q5 Maintenance Costs
The Q5 is Audi’s best-selling model, and for good reasons. It’s not as engaging a drive as a Porsche Macan or BMW X3, but it offers a classy styling, a punchy engine, and refined driving. The Audi Q5 scored a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0 with a rank of 11th out of 14 luxury midsize SUVs.
Unfortunately, the Q5 also has poor ownership costs, with an average of $928 for annual repairs. Another blow to its reliability is the frequency of visits which is 1.2 times per year. Now, compare that to 0.6 times for other luxury SUVs and 0.4 times for all models.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers
Average Costs of Common Maintenance Services for Audi
Are Audis expensive to maintain? Absolutely. To give you more insights, here are some of the most common Audi services and how much they cost.
Oil Change
- When: Every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Cost: Between $143 to $170
- Why: Oil changes ensure your engine is properly lubricated and helps remove excess dirt that builds up within.
Tire Replacement
- When: Between 25,000 and 50,000 miles
- Cost: $150 - $350 per tire (standard all-season)
- Why: Old tires are dangerous regardless of tread depth and make you more prone to accidents
Air and Cabin Filter Replacement
- When: Between 12,000 to 15,000 miles
- Cost: Between $91 and $121
- Why: Minimizes the pollution inside your Audi’s cabin
Spark Plug Replacement
- When: Every 40,000 miles
- Cost: Average is $134 with $39 for parts and $95 for labor
- Why: Worn spark plugs will lead to issues like engine misfires, slow or no start, rough idling, etc.
Fuel Filter Replacement
- When: Around 100,000 miles
- Cost: Between $90 and $207
- Why: A dirty fuel filter will cause your fuel pumps to work harder, which can lead to premature engine failure
Are Audis expensive to maintain? Unfortunately, yes. Audis are excellent performance vehicles, but they don’t just have a luxury price tag; their maintenance costs are also on the premium side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Audis really as expensive to maintain as people say?
A: Unfortunately, the rumors are true. Audis have higher-than-average maintenance costs, with owners typically spending around $987 per year on unscheduled repairs and maintenance – that’s $330 more than the average for all car brands!
Q: How often will I need to take my Audi to the shop?
A: Better clear some space in your calendar! Audi owners visit the repair shop about 0.8 times per year, which is nearly double the average of 0.4 times for all car brands. It seems Audis enjoy a bit more pampering than most vehicles.
Q: Are all Audi models equally expensive to maintain?
A: Not quite. For example, the A3, being an entry-level model, has lower maintenance costs at $741 annually. However, models like the A4 Quattro and Q5 can set you back around $925-$928 per year in repair costs.
Q: What are some common maintenance services for Audis, and how much do they cost?
A: An oil change can cost between $143-$170, tire replacements range from $150-$350 per tire, and even a simple air filter replacement might set you back $91-$121. It’s all part of the luxury car experience!
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