Are Audis expensive to maintain?
If you’re considering an Audi as your next car, you might be wondering how much they cost to run
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When it comes to choosing an Audi, it’s important to think about more than just the initial purchasing price.
The cost of maintaining a premium car like a used Audi can be more expensive than maintaining a more budget model.
Audi cars are built with high-quality components and years of expert engineering, so the maintenance and running costs line up with the initial higher cost of purchasing.
This doesn’t mean it needs to break the bank, as there are potential ways to save money on maintenance, insurance and other costs.
In fact, the premium nature and reliability of Audi models does usually mean you’ll have fewer repairs to make over time.
Audi servicing costs
Audi recommends that you service its cars every 12 months or 10,000 miles. Your car usually reminds you when a service is due using the MMI system or myAudi app.
Servicing is not a legal requirement in the UK, unlike MOTs, so you can go slightly longer if you prefer. However, this isn’t generally recommended, as you want to keep your Audi in the best condition possible.
A typical service on your Audi will include procedures like an oil change and oil filter replacement, air cleaner and brake fluid replacement, and brake inspection.
The average cost of servicing an Audi will depend on where you live, as prices vary across the UK.
A basic car service in the UK usually starts around £150 and goes upwards from there. This can also increase depending on the type of servicing you choose and will differ depending on the repairs you need.
If you need extra parts for repairs, you’ll need to pay for these, too.
Audi also offers a price-match system for its servicing. You just need to provide a quote from another garage using genuine Audi parts, and it will match that price.
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Audi repair costs
When it comes to repairing a luxury car like an Audi, parts are usually more expensive due to their high-quality nature.
This quality should reassure you that your car will be reliable. While repairs will be more expensive, you’ll likely be making these repairs less often than you would on an older, less expensive car.
Audi models are considered reliable, and keeping on top of regular servicing and maintenance will help ensure your car won’t need frequent repairs.
You'll also get an impressive warranty with your Audi, covering you for three years or up to 60,000 miles on new Audis in the UK.
Audi insurance costs
The cost of insuring an Audi will depend on many factors and is different for everyone.
In the UK, there are 50 insurance groups that a car can be placed in. If your car sits in a higher-numbered insurance group, this is an indicator it will be more expensive to insure.
Choosing an Audi in a higher insurance group will mean that you’ll be paying more than cars on the lower end of the scale.
For example, Audi A3 Sportback models from 2020 onwards will usually sit in insurance groups 14 to 29. An Audi RS4 Avant from 2017 onwards will sit in groups 44 to 50, meaning these will be more expensive to insure.
Insurance groups are decided using factors like the cost of repairs and parts, how long repairs would take, the performance of the car and the new car's value.
The cost of your insurance will also be based on individual factors like whether you have points on your license.
If you’d like cheaper Audi car insurance, it’s best to choose a lower-specification Audi on the lower end of the price scale. Models like the Audi Q2 and Audi A3 Sportback are usually among the cheapest.
You can expect to pay higher insurance rates for anything really flashy, like the Audi R8 and Audi TT.
Which Audi models are expensive to maintain?
The most expensive Audis to maintain will be the ones that are on the higher end of the scale to purchase and that have the largest engines.
This doesn’t mean these cars are more likely to need repairs, but the repairs they might need will be more expensive due to the cost of the parts.
These larger engines also require more fuel to get moving and have lower fuel efficiency, so you’ll need to factor that in.
The Audi R8 sits in a high insurance group and is a real supercar. The giant 5.2-litre V10 engine will get around 21mpg, so it’s a pretty thirsty car.
Choosing an electric model like the Audi Q4 e-tron will usually mean lower running costs. These have fewer oily engine parts that could need repairs or cause issues, and you’ll obviously be saving on fuel. There are even locations you can charge an electric Audi for free.
RS variants of Audi models, such as the RS4 and RS6, are usually more expensive to run too. These are performance-focused models with engines that don’t prioritise efficiency and so sit in higher insurance groups.