Used Audi A4 Avant 2015-present reliability

Check that the seats lower and raise as they should, and take a look at the alloy wheels for any kerb damage. Also check the front and rear of this long car for any scuffs and bodywork dings.

Infotainment system

The number of reported faults on the A4 Avant is relatively low, although problems with the car’s infotainment system are a cause for concern, with phones not connecting properly and flickering screens being the main complaints. The latest software from Audi can cure some of these ills. Despite the A4’s reputation for having a great interior, there have been some issues with rattling parcel shelves and buzzing from interior trims.

DPF issues

There are no specific diesel problems to be aware of, other than diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues that can affect modern diesel engines if they don’t get hot enough for the DPF to regenerate. If the majority of your driving will be short urban trips, then a petrol-engined model is a better bet.

Airbags and seatbelt tensioners

There have been two recalls relating to airbags. The first one is due to a manufacturing error that could prevent both the airbags and seatbelt tensioners from working correctly in a collision and applies to examples made between 1 May and 31 October 2016. The second is due to the passenger airbag being loose of a small number of A4s built between 1 February 2017 and 31 July 2017. Speak to an Audi dealer because in both cases, your car will need to be inspected before repairs can be carried out.

Shock absorber fork

A problem with the casting process of the shock absorber forks used on the suspension of some A4s manufactured from 26 February 2019 and 14 March 2019 could lead to the forks failing. Find out from an Audi dealer if your A4 is affected since it will need to have replacement forks fitted to prevent future issues.

Towing hinge bracket

The locking mechanism for the hinged towing bracket (if equipped with a tow bar) could be faulty on examples constructed from 2 December 2015 and 17 December 2018. If affected, it will need to be inspected by a dealer and replaced if necessary.

Backrest for the front seats

Both backrests for the front seats of A4s built between 1 August and 31 October 2016 might not have been assembled correctly at the factory, and could cause injury in the event of a collision. Speak to your local Audi dealer for further information because affected examples will need to be inspected by a technician and have the frames repaired.

Though we don't specify the A4 Avant in our reliability survey, the regular A4 is included. In petrol form, it ranked fourth out of 24 cars in the executive car class with a great score of 96%. As a diesel, it placed 13th with a score of 91.2%. Those results placed the A4 above the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class.

Audi came 26th out of 32 manufacturers featured with an overall score of 89.1%. This put it above Alfa Romeo, Jaguar and Vauxhall, but below rivals like BMW, Mercedes and Toyota.

Used Audi A4 Avant reliability: the owners' view

As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared their experiences with the Audi A4. On the whole, the A4 was considered reliable, but there are recurrent issues, especially with the electronic systems and engine components. Several readers reported frustrating experiences with warning lights and unexplained noises, leading to repeated dealership visits.

The feedback on dealer service was a bit mixed, however. Some readers praised their dealers for being attentive and resolving issues efficiently, often under warranty, which mitigated the inconvenience and cost. However, others felt let down, citing slow service, lack of communication, and instances where multiple visits were required to address a single problem. This inconsistency in dealer service seems to be a significant concern for A4 owners, impacting their overall satisfaction and trust in the brand.

If you want to read more results from our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, click here.