Front multi-link control arms
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Knocking, vague steering, uneven tyre wear
Fix: Replace the arm kit (8 arms)
€300–700
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Audi A4 (B6)
2000–2004
5
engines covered
24
known faults
13,903
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
5
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Audi A4 (B6) was built from 2000 to 2004.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 24 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Multitronic chain / clutch pack / control unit: it usually appears at 100,000–200,000 km and costs €1,500–4,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 250+ thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.3 %), suspension (20.1 %), brakes (16.7 %). It fails less often than average on: steering, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 T 20v (EA113) | Petrol | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 5W-30 · VW 502.00 / 504.00 · ~4.0–4.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.6 / 2.0 8v MPI (EA113) | Petrol | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 10W-40 · VW 502.00 / 501.01 · ~4.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 FSI / TFSI (EA113) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km / every 72 mo | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · VW 504.00 / 502.00 · ~4.6 L · every 10,000 km |
| 1.9 TDI PD / VE (EA188) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 5W-30 · VW 505.01 (PD) / 505.00 · ~4.3 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.5 TDI V6 (VE pump, 1997–2005) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 / 5W-30 · VW 505.01 / 507.00 · ~6.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Instrument cluster / display pixels
usually 120,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Missing pixels in the display
Fix: Repair the cluster
€150–350
Faults by engine
1.8 T 20v (EA113)
Ignition coils (2001–2003)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light
Fix: Replace coils (updated part)
€100–300
Oil sludge → turbo failure
usually 120,000–220,000 km · High risk
Signs: Oil light, smoke, turbo whine — worse with long oil intervals
Fix: Clean the oil pickup, synthetic oil every 10,000 km, replace turbo
€600–1,800
PCV / breather hoses cracked
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Whistle, lean codes, oil leaks
Fix: Replace the PCV hose kit
€80–250
Water pump (plastic impeller)
usually 90,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Overheating
Fix: Use a metal-impeller pump at the belt change
€0–150
1.6 / 2.0 8v MPI (EA113)
Ignition coil pack / leads
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light
Fix: Replace coil pack and leads
€80–200
Intake / crankcase breather leaks
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Lean codes, unstable idle
Fix: Replace gaskets / breather hoses
€60–200
Oil consumption at high mileage
usually 200,000–320,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Topping up between services
Fix: Valve stem seals / rings
€300–1,200
2.0 FSI / TFSI (EA113)
Cam follower wear (high-pressure fuel pump)
usually 40,000–100,000 km · High risk
engine codes: BWA, AXX, BPY, BWJ, CAWA, BHZ
Signs: Wear destroys the camshaft lobe; power loss, fuel pressure codes
Fix: Inspect and replace the follower every 50,000 km
€40–1,200
PCV valve / diaphragm
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whistle, rough idle, oil leaks
Fix: Replace PCV valve
€100–250
Carbon build-up on intake valves
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, rough idle
Fix: Walnut blasting
€300–600
Intake manifold flap motor
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Engine light
Fix: Replace motor / manifold
€150–600
1.9 TDI PD / VE (EA188)
Big-end bearing failure (BXE / BKC / BLS)
usually 150,000–280,000 km · High risk
engine codes: BXE, BKC, BLS, BJB, BRU, BXF
Signs: Knocking from the bottom end, oil light — can destroy the engine
Fix: VW 505.01 oil every 10–15,000 km; bearing inspection
€1,500–3,500
Turbo vanes (VNT) sticking
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode under load, overboost / underboost codes
Fix: Clean or recondition the turbo
€300–900
Unit injector loom / O-rings (PD)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, hard hot start, fuel in oil
Fix: Replace loom or injector seals
€200–700
EGR valve clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Power loss, black smoke
Fix: Clean or replace EGR
€150–400
Tandem (fuel / vacuum) pump leak
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Diesel smell, leak at the back of the cylinder head
Fix: Reseal or replace the tandem pump
€150–400
2.5 TDI V6 (VE pump, 1997–2005)
Camshaft and roller lifter wear
usually 120,000–220,000 km · High risk
Signs: Ticking, misfire, metal in oil — very common
Fix: Replace camshafts and lifters
€1,500–3,000
Injection pump (Bosch VP44) failure
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Stalls, won't start, 'pump' codes
Fix: Repair or exchange the pump
€800–2,000
Timing belt (complex job)
usually 100,000–120,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Two belts + tensioners; failure destroys the engine
Fix: Replace the full kit on time
€700–1,300
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (Aisin / ZF Tiptronic)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Multitronic CVT (01J / 0AW)
Multitronic chain / clutch pack / control unit
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Judder pulling away, jerks, 'gearbox fault' limp mode
Fix: Fluid every 60,000 km; repair or exchange
€1,500–4,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.8 T 20v (EA113) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 90,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 13,903 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.5 % | 9.9 % | 13.9 % | 15.2 % | 16.7 % |
| Suspension | 5.7 % | 10.1 % | 13.8 % | 16.3 % | 20.1 % |
| Steering | 0.4 % | 1.3 % | 2.1 % | 3.5 % | 5.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.2 % | 5.3 % | 7.2 % | 7.8 % | 8.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 11.7 % | 18.3 % | 20.1 % | 22.5 % | 24.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.7 % | 4.3 % | 6.5 % | 7.4 % | 8.5 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.9 % | 5.5 % | 6.9 % | 7.8 % | 7.4 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 670 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (5). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Replacing Takata passenger airbag04/04/2024 · R/2024/158
- Airbag If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.01/02/2023 · R/2023/053
- Airbag Function of the driver airbag might be restricted due to its age22/09/2021 · R/2021/330
- Fuel system Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break01/03/2005 · R/2004/213
- Airbag Airbag may not deploy26/10/2002 · R/2002/143
Other generations
Audi A1 (8X) 2010–2018Audi A1 (GB) 2018–Audi A3 (8L) 1996–2003Audi A3 (8P) 2003–2012Audi A3 (8V) 2012–2020Audi A3 (8Y) 2020–Audi A4 (B7) 2004–2008Audi A4 (B8) 2007–2015Audi A4 (B9) 2015–2024Audi A5 (8T) 2007–2016Audi A5 (F5) 2016–2024Audi A6 (C5) 1997–2004Audi A6 (C6) 2004–2011Audi A6 (C7) 2011–2018Audi A6 (C8) 2018–Audi A7 (4G) 2010–2018
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026