Used Audi Q8 2018-2024 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Audi Q8?

Pay particular attention to the wheels and tyres, because even the smallest rims are 21in and it’ll cost a small fortune to fit fresh tyres. It isn’t just because of the size of them; it’s also to do with the fact that every model has four-wheel-drive, so you need to keep the same type of tyre on all four wheels for safety reasons. So, if you're swapping brands or types of tyre, you’ll have to change all four at the same time.

Make sure the interior is in good order, too, and that the carpets and leather are free from marks and stains. Also, the digital screens will cost a lot to replace if they're scratched, so make sure you clean them only as per the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Is a used Audi Q8 reliable?

The Q8 didn't feature in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. However, its sister car, the Audi Q7, did. The two cars are broadly similar under the skin, so here are the results for the Q7, as a guide.

Unfortunately, our latest reliability data from our 2024 survey shows the Q7 in a poor light. It came bottom of our seven-seater class with an overall score of just 80.8%. In previous years it has performed better, often finishing up near the top of the class.

Reliability rating 80.8%

• Most common faults: non-engine electrics 22%, engine 6%, sat-nav/infotainment system 6%

• Average repair cost: 50% cost £0, 25% cost more than £1500

• Typical time off road: 63% one day to one week, 25% more than a week

The Audi Q7 offers a relaxing blend of comfort and peaceful cruising manners, and it's surprisingly agile for a spacious seven-seat luxury SUV. However, its reliability record isn't great: it's the lowest-scoring Audi model in our survey and it's the worst seven-seater.

Although the Audi Q7's fault rate of 33% isn't sky high, the fact that many repairs were eye-wateringly expensive dented the ownership experience for some. Audi only covered the cost of 50% of repair work, leaving some owners with bills of up to £750 and a quarter had to pay more than £1500 to get their cars fixed.

Most cars could still be driven, but only 13% of issues were resolved in a day or less; 63% took up to a week and the rest took longer than a week. A range of electrical issues were the most common complaints, and there were some reports of problems with engines, too.

Owner’s view: “Very unreliable, with faults that even Audi couldn’t fix, leading to big bills for me.”

Audi, as a brand, though, came 24th out of 31 manufacturers in the same survey, which isn't especially good. Its score was 89.0%, which put it below all its main rivals, including BMW and Mercedes, but above Jaguar, Land Rover and Vauxhall.

Used Audi Q7 reliability: the owners' view

Overall, the Q7's feedback from our survey highlights a mixed report regarding reliability.

A few owners reported issues with the vehicle's electrical systems, including malfunctioning infotainment screens and problematic sensors. Additionally, a few readers experienced mechanical faults, particularly with the air suspension and transmission in older models.

When it comes to dealer service, the responses were varied. Positive comments were made about the professionalism and helpfulness of dealership staff, with several readers praising the efficient handling of repairs under warranty. However, there were criticisms about the cost of out-of-warranty repairs and longer-than-expected service times for more complex issues.

If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.

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