Audi A4 B8 (2007-2015): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2007–2011
Median price: €5,900
Listings: 2,033
Running cost per month: €447–€556
Power: 120–240 PS (88–176 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

Check oil use and piston repair proof first, then the timing chain and gearbox.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.8 TFSI, 160 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€485	€5,300	324	Petrol	CDH	Manual (6)	2007–2011
1.8 TFSI, 160 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€494	€5,300	324	Petrol	CDH	Manual (6)	2008–2011
2.0 TDI, 143 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€453	€5,000	242	Diesel	CJC	Manual (6)	2007–2011
2.0 TDI, 143 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€471	€5,000	242	Diesel	CJC	Manual (6)	2008–2011
1.8 TFSI, 120 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€491	€5,490	178	Petrol	CDH	Manual (6)	2008–2011
2.0 TDI, 143 PS, automatic Research	€469	€5,900	148	Diesel	CJC	CVT-Getriebe	2007–2011
1.8 TFSI, 160 PS, automatic Research	€484	€6,490	146	Petrol	CDH	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
2.7 TDI, 190 PS, automatic Research	€530	€5,200	143	Diesel	CGK	CVT-Getriebe	2007–2011
2.0 TDI, 170 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€456	€6,500	114	Diesel	CAH	Manual (6)	2008–2011
2.0 TDI, 170 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€474	€6,500	114	Diesel	CAH	Manual (6)	2008–2011
3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€556	€7,090	85	Diesel	CCW	Automatic (6)	2008–2011
3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€542	€7,090	85	Diesel	CCW	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2009–2011
2.0 TFSI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€465	€5,999	78	Bioethanol (E85) / Petrol	CDN, CFK	Manual (6)	2008–2011
2.0 TFSI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€460	€5,999	78	Bioethanol (E85)	CFK	Manual (6)	2009–2011
2.0 TFSI, 211 PS, automatic Research	€495	€7,777	60	Petrol	CDN	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
2.0 TFSI, 211 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€520	€7,777	60	Petrol	CDN	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2009–2011
2.0 TDI, 120 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€447	€4,900	56	Diesel	CJC	Manual (6)	2008–2011
2.7 TDI, 190 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€503	€4,999	53	Diesel	CGK	Manual (6)	2008–2011

Show all 18 variants

At a glance

Years: built 2007-2015. Facelift 2011-2012. The 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrols share one engine family.
Most common: petrol engines burning oil from worn piston rings, and timing chain wear on the 2.0 TFSI.
Reliability: 3/5, because the petrol oil and timing chain faults are costly.
DIY: 2/5, because oil and chain repairs need an engine workshop. The checks below need no tools.
Prefer: a car with proof of piston work and a recorded oil level. Avoid: a 1.8 or 2.0 TFSI that burns oil with no repair proof.

Engines and gearboxes

1.8 TFSI petrol, 120 to 177 hp: EA888 engine family. Oil use is the main risk.
2.0 TFSI petrol, 180 to 230 hp: same family. Oil use and timing chain wear are the main risks.
2.0 TDI diesel, 136 to 190 hp: see the 2.0 TDI guide. On the A4, the injector and EGR rows below apply.
2.7 TDI, 3.0 TDI, 3.2 FSI V6, 3.0 TFSI V6 (S4): named in the sources. No common fault confirmed.
Multitronic (CVT, front-wheel drive): sensor and control faults, see below. The chain often lasts over 200,000 km.
S tronic (7-speed dual clutch): clutch and mechatronic faults, see below.
Manual gearbox: named in the sources. No fault listed here.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Oil use from worn piston rings	1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrol, mainly built up to 2011-2012	40,000-80,000 km	About 3,200 EUR (Germany, 2017)
Timing chain and tensioner	2.0 TFSI petrol, built 2009-2015	About 80,000-100,000 km	From 946 EUR (Germany, year not stated)
S tronic clutch and mechatronics	S tronic 7-speed	Not stated	No confirmed price
Multitronic sensors and control unit	Multitronic CVT, front-wheel drive	Not stated	No confirmed price
Diesel injectors	2.0 TDI diesel	Up to about 120,000 km	No confirmed price
Diesel EGR valve and DPF	Diesel	About 150,000 km (EGR)	No confirmed price
Water pump and thermostat	Petrol and diesel	50,000-100,000 km	No confirmed price
Suspension wear	All	70,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Ask for proof of piston work on a 1.8 or 2.0 TFSI. Check the oil level, then measure oil use over 1,000 km.
Ask whether the timing chain and tensioner were replaced. A cold rattle, or noise from the timing cover, is a warning sign.
Ask for the S tronic oil change record.
In a multitronic, jerking or a flashing gear display is a warning sign.
Ask for proof of injector work on a 2.0 TDI.
Ask for proof of EGR cleaning or replacement.
Ask for the diesel particulate filter (DPF) history. A car used only on short trips may have a clogged filter.
Check the coolant level and look for coolant under the water pump.
Listen for knocks over bumps on a rough road.

Running costs

Operational	€213
Workshop	€129
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€149
Total per month	€491
New-car depreciation (not included)	€72

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 2,033
25th percentile: €4,500
Median price: €5,900
75th percentile: €7,500
Median mileage: 215,900 km
Median first registration: 2009
Dealer share: 30.5%
Price at 100,000 km: €8,243

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Oil consumption

The 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrol engines (EA888) can burn oil. The cause is worn piston rings. Oil use often starts to rise between 40,000 and 80,000 km.

Early cars are affected most. The sources do not agree on when Audi changed the parts: the dates given range from mid 2011 to 2012. On a car built around then, ask for proof of piston work.

The repair is a piston group replacement. New rings, a PCV valve, an oil jet or decoking do not fix it. An independent rebuilder quoted about 3,200 EUR for the repair in Germany in 2017.

Sources: Auto Bild, Kfz Dietrich, drive2 repair post, CarWiki

Timing chain and tensioner

The 2.0 TFSI (engine code CAEB) has a timing chain tensioner with a design flaw. It can let the chain stretch. A cold rattle, or noise from the timing cover, is a warning sign. Chains often need work from about 80,000 to 100,000 km.

A chain change in Germany starts from 946 EUR for an A4 8K2 saloon. The year is not stated.

Sources: FCP Euro, drive2, auto.ru, auto.ru restyle, FairGarage chain price

S tronic clutch and mechatronics

The S tronic (7-speed dual clutch, 0B5) wears its wet clutch. The mechatronic unit and its wiring can also fail. Change the gearbox oil every 50,000 to 60,000 km.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, auto.ru restyle, auto.ru

Multitronic sensors and control unit

The multitronic is a front-wheel-drive CVT. The speed sensor is a known weak point. Faults show as jerking and a flashing gear display.

Sources: FairGarage multitronic, kolesa

Diesel injectors

The 2.0 TDI (EA189) injectors are a known weak point. They can fail before about 120,000 km. Poor fuel-system care, such as infrequent fuel filter changes, is linked to injector failure.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, EuroAutoPro, auto.ru

Diesel EGR valve and DPF

The EGR valve can clog with soot and carbon. Cleaning is often the first step. On the 2.0 TDI (143 hp), the EGR valve and its flaps cause trouble from about 150,000 km. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogs when trips are short and driving is stop-and-go.

Sources: EuroAutoPro, Gebrauchtwagenberater, auto.ru restyle

Water pump and thermostat

Water pumps and thermostats wear out. Expect to replace them from about 50,000 to 100,000 km.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, auto.ru restyle, profile.ru

Suspension wear

TÜV inspections flag springs and shock absorbers. Knocks over bumps can start from about 70,000 to 80,000 km. Shock absorbers wear from about 120,000 to 150,000 km.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, profile.ru, auto.ru restyle

Recalls

US campaigns from NHTSA. Check whether they apply to your car.

Campaign	Cars	Built	Work	Country	Code
Air bag control unit may corrode	8,381	2008-2009 A4, A5, Q5	Dealer replaces the unit free	US	16V376000
Passenger air bag inflator may rupture	33,421	2009 A4	Not stated	US	17V032000