Used Audi A4 Avant 2015-2024 reliability
Category: Estate car
Superb quality, comfort and refinement make the practical Audi A4 Avant one of the best used estates you can buy.
What should I look for in a used Audi A4 estate?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
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
Problems with the Audi A4 Avant'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.
What are the most common problems with a used Audi A4 estate?
At the time of writing, the A4 Avant has eight recall notices. To check whether these recalls have been carried out, you contact your local Audi dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
Foreign particles in the engine coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.
How the manufacturer will repair: Recall the cars that are likely to be affected and update the software which will deactivate the additional coolant pump in the event of malfunction. If there has been a malfunction of the additional water pump it will be replaced.
Number of affected vehicles: 2844
Date of recall: 01/05/2017
Reason for recall
The auxiliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors in conjunction with smoulder damage or potential fire.
How the manufacturer will repair: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit an auxiliary heater element with optimised electrical connectors. The activation of the electric auxiliary heater must be adjusted by updating the software for the air conditioning control console.
Number of affected vehicles: 33,699
Date of recall: 08/01/2018
Reason for recall
There was a secondary recall in 2018 for the auxiliary heater element in the air conditioner, which may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors. This can lead to smoulder damage or potentially a fire.
How the manufacturer will repair: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and change the auxiliary heater element for one with optimised electrical connectors.
Number of affected vehicles: 114,287
Date of recall: 19/02/2018
Reason for recall
The aluminium trim may become detached from the loud speaker trim in the front or rear doors. Cuts and other injuries from the sharp edges may occur.
How the manufacturer will repair: The affected vehicles will be recalled and all four aluminium strips on the loud speaker trims will be replaced.
Number of affected vehicles: 5092
Date of recall: 30/04/2018
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles moisture may enter the electronic components and cause overheating and failure of the additional coolant pump. Localised smoulder damage cannot be ruled out and in individual cases may cause vehicle to catch fire.
How the manufacturer will repair: The additional coolant pump must be replaced and in addition a software update of the engine control unit must be carried out
Number of affected vehicles: 137
Date of recall: 11/06/2018
Reason for recall
It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
How the manufacturer will repair: The fuel rails for the low-pressure side of both cylinder banks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 2763
Date of recall: 18/03/2019
Reason for recall
Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
How the manufacturer will repair: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
Number of affected vehicles: 135
Date of recall: 03/06/2019
Reason for recall
Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
How the manufacturer will repair: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected.
Number of affected vehicles: 263
Date of recall: 07/06/2021
Is a used Audi A4 estate reliable?
The A4 Avant wasn't specifically mentioned in our latest Reliability Survey, but the regular A4 was included. It ranked in 13th place out of 20 cars in the executive car category with a score of 86.6%. This places it above the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes C-Class, but below the BMW 3 Series and Volvo V60.
Audi came 26th out of 31 manufacturers featured in the brand section with an overall score of 89%. This put it above Alfa Romeo and Land Rover, but below rivals like BMW, Mercedes and Skoda.
Used Audi A4 Avant reliability: the owners' view
In our latest Reliability Survey, Audi A4 owners across both petrol and diesel models from 2015 to 2024, said their cars delivered a mixed reliability record. Several owners reported persistent issues with electrical components, particularly malfunctioning infotainment systems and faulty warning lights. Others noted problems with the automatic gearbox, including jerky changes and the need for costly repairs outside of warranty.
Diesel models were more likely to suffer from DPF (diesel particulate filter) issues, with some readers facing expensive bills after repeated regeneration failures. A few owners also mentioned engine management light warnings, often recurring even after dealer intervention.
Dealer service experiences varied. Some praised efficient, courteous service, but others expressed frustration with slow diagnostics and repairs, especially when dealing with recurring faults. A number of readers said they felt dealers were reluctant to acknowledge known issues without prompting, denting confidence in aftersales support.
