Coil springs and dampers: TÜV findings rise sharply with age
usually 100,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Clunk over bumps or when turning, car sits lower on one corner, bouncy ride; broken spring or leaking damper found at inspection.
Fix: Replace broken springs and worn dampers in pairs per axle; on cars with adaptive dampers check the damper codes too.
€300–900
Front control arm bushes and axle mountings wear
usually 90,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Knocking over bumps, vague or nervous steering, uneven tyre wear; play in the axle mountings at inspection.
Fix: Replace the worn arms of the five-link front axle (usually in sets per side) and align the wheels.
€300–900
MMI / Virtual Cockpit / assist systems: software glitches
usually 0–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: MMI freezes or reboots, Bluetooth/CarPlay will not connect, Virtual Cockpit flickers; Pre Sense brakes for no reason or reports a fault.
Fix: Have the dealer install the latest MMI and assist software and recalibrate the front camera; check battery condition first, as low voltage causes many such faults.
€50–1,000
Recall: Bang & Olufsen door trim strips can come off (sharp edges)
usually 0–200,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2014–2017 only
Signs: Aluminium B&O speaker trim strip lifts or peels off the door panel and exposes sharp edges.
Fix: Check the VIN with an Audi dealer; the trims on all four doors are replaced free of charge.
free / recall
Recall: swivelling towbar locking pin may break
usually 0–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2015–2018 only
Signs: No warning; the towball may not lock properly and the trailer can come loose.
Fix: Check the VIN with an Audi dealer; the swivel mechanism is inspected and the module replaced if from the affected batch.
free / recall
Recall: airbag and belt tensioner igniters may not fire (early 2017)
usually 0–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2016–2017 only
Signs: No warning signs; in a crash an airbag or belt tensioner may not work as intended.
Fix: Check the VIN with an Audi dealer; affected airbags and belt tensioners are replaced free of charge.
free / recall