Used Audi A4 1995 - 2001 reliability
Category: Executive car
A top-quality interior makes the Audi A4 great for long journeys, and the car will last years, too
What should I look for in a used Audi A4 saloon?
Engines and drivetrains last well but the suspension, electrics and cooling system need regular, sometimes expensive, work.
Axle and suspension faults made up half of all claims to Warranty Direct. Clonks from the front as the car drives could just be worn-out suspension bushes, which are cheap to fix, but they could also signal worn wishbones, which are dearer. Shock absorbers need renewing after 60,000 miles, particularly on diesel models.
Some cars now fail the MoT test because of duff catalytic converters, which cost a stiff three-figure sum to renew. Meanwhile, non-turbo 1.8s have a nasty habit of snapping cambelts (which can wreck the engine) before the scheduled replacement cycle of five years or 60,000 miles.
On early cars, auto gearboxes may need an overhaul and the cost of that may exceed the car's total value.
