Overall, Audi currently ranks 28th in dependability out of 32 car brands. You can expect a properly driven and maintained Audi to last 150,000-200,000 miles or 10 to 13 years. In general, Audis are known for their Quattro all-wheel-drive system, technology, style, performance, and well-crafted interiors.

The Audi brand’s roots go back to 1899, but it wasn’t until the late 1960s, when Volkswagen bought the company, that the cars began to make a name for themselves around the world. This high-performance vehicle has always been on the cutting edge.

The company began crash-testing more than 75 years ago—long before most manufacturers—and their first fully autonomous car completed the 20 kilometer Pikes Peak course, driverless, in 2010.

For all of its good points (and there are many), Audi’s dependability is not its strongest selling point. High performance often means high maintenance, and Audi is no exception.

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Are Audis reliable?

Because it is considered a high-performance luxury vehicle, Audi is assumed to be a very dependable brand but in actuality, it ranks 28th out of 32 major brands in the world when it comes to dependability.

What the car lacks in longevity it makes up for in engineering and performance. Audi owners may spend more on repairs, but the overall driving experience is still top-notch. In addition, Audi has come a long way in recent years in improving the dependability of its cars.

How many miles can an Audi last?

When driven responsibly and well-maintained, an Audi will give you 1500,000-200,000 miles of high-performance luxury.

How many years can an Audi last?

You can plan on having 10-13 years with your Audi, as long as you perform routine maintenance. But of course, there are a lot of factors that impact the lifespan of your car.

Road conditions, climate, and driving habits all make a difference—along with the Audi model that you select.

Key Takeaway Audi doesn’t score the highest when it comes to dependability, but it makes up for it with performance and style.

MORE:

A complete guide to Audi safety ratings

The most reliable Audi models

According to the 2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score, these are the Audis that top the list for reliability.

Audi Q3

The

Audi Q3

boasts a 5/5 NHTSA crash test rating. 2020 Best Buy Award winner for subcompact luxury SUVs.

2021 starting price: Starting at $35,095

True cost to own: $58,297

2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 77/100 (average)

Audi A4

The

Audi A4

has been recognized with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s IIHS “TOP SAFETY PICK” designations when equipped with available LED or Matrix-design LED headlights.

2021 starting price: Starting at $40,145

True cost to own: N/A ($63,277 for 2020 model)

2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 74/100 (average)

Audi A6

The

received IIHS “TOP SAFETY PICK+”, which is the highest rating awarded by the organization.

2021 starting price: Starting at $55,945

True cost to own: N/A ($77,600 for 2020 model)

2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 69/100 (fair)

MORE: The 5 characteristics of a reliable car insurance company

The least reliable Audi models

If your top priority is dependability, you may want to take these Audi models off your list of cars to buy.

Audi Q5

According to Repair Pal’s 2022 ratings, an

Audi Q5

has a Reliability Rating of 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 11th out of 14 for luxury midsize SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $928 which means that upkeep will likely be higher than average.

2021 starting price: Starting at $44,395

True cost to own: N/A ($65,873 for 2020 model)

2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 63/100 (fair)

Audi e-tron

Consumer Reports

gives the 2021 Audi e-Tron just a 1/5 for its predicted reliability. Although it has the lowest possible reliability score, the Audi e-Tron is still popular with consumers because of the great driving experience it offers.

2021 starting price: Starting at $66,995

True cost to own: N/A

2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 62/100 (fair)

Key Takeaway An Audi is going to give you power, luxury, style, and comfort—but be prepared for high maintenance and repair costs.

How to make your Audi last longer

Stick to your maintenance schedule. When your car is running properly, it is easy to forget about regularly scheduled maintenance—but this is the single most important thing you can do to keep your car in the best condition for the longest time.

Don’t ignore issues. The

check engine light

is there for a reason. Getting the little things taken care of now means they don’t contribute to longer-term issues with your Audi.

Spring for quality oil. Oil really is the lifeblood of your car—when it is old or dirty, it will cause unnecessary wear on your engine parts.

Wash your car regularly. It may not seem that important, but keeping your whole car (including the undercarriage) clean prevents rust and other build-up on parts.

Don’t forget to warm up: Warming up your engine allows the cold oil that has settled in the oil pan to warm up and begin circulating through the engine. The best warm-up for your car is to allow the engine to idle for 30-60 seconds and then drive, keeping your RPMs low until the heater begins to blow warm air—then you can drive normally.

Cool down: Abruptly turning off a revved-up engine is hard on your bearings and other moving parts. This is especially true for turbocharged engines like the Audi A3.

Give it a workout: Take your Audi out on the open road and get your RPMs elevated. While you certainly shouldn’t do this all the time, doing it occasionally will help remove carbon deposits in your engine and improve the life of your car.

Lighten the load: Time to clean out the trunk! Minimize the amount of weight your car is carrying to protect your suspension, get better gas mileage, and extend the life of your vehicle.

MORE: How to make your car last longer

How to find affordable Audi insurance

Finding some form of car insurance isn’t hard—but finding the right coverage at the cheapest price is not. If you own a high-performance vehicle, you are going to want high-performance car insurance!

If you want to save money on car insurance, the

Jerry

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And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.

This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

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What is high mileage for an Audi?

For total lifespan, Audis can last an average of 150,000-200,000 miles, but it is also important to factor in the age of the car—that can tell you a lot about how it has been driven in the past (especially if you are looking to buy a used Audi).

Driving 12,000-15,000 miles per year is considered average, under 10,000 per year is considered low mileage, while anything over 15,000 is high.

Are Audis expensive to maintain?

Yep. Audis have an average repair cost of $987 per year, compared to $652 per year, which is the average for all car brands combined. Again, the better care you take of your car, the more able you are to keep costs lower.

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