Air suspension (compressor, air springs)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Suspension warning, the car sits low or drops overnight
Fix: Replace the leaking air spring; a worn compressor usually follows a leak
€600–2,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Audi A8 (D3)
2002–2010
1
engines covered
6
known faults
3,175
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Audi A8 (D3) was built from 2002 to 2010.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 6 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain wear: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €3,000–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 250+ thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (13.3 %), tyres and wheels (7.2 %), suspension (6.1 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6 | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~6.0–8.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Faults by engine
2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6
Timing chain wear
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle at rear of engine
Fix: Replace chains (gearbox off)
€3,000–5,000
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€400–1,800
Swirl flaps / intake manifold (2004–2010)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2004–2010 only
Signs: Engine light, flap position codes
Fix: Replace intake manifold / actuator
€600–1,500
Gearboxes
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 2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6 engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 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 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| 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: 3,175 tests.
| thousand km | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5.1 % | 4.4 % | 5.0 % |
| Suspension | 5.7 % | 5.6 % | 6.1 % |
| Steering | 0.9 % | 0.3 % | 0.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.5 % | 4.3 % | 7.2 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 12.9 % | 10.6 % | 13.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 2.1 % | 2.6 % | 3.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.7 % | 3.8 % | 3.7 % |
Common questions
Does the Audi A8 (D3) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6: chain.
What are the known problems with the Audi A8 (D3)?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain wear (150,000–250,000 km, €3,000–5,000); multitronic chain / clutch pack / control unit (100,000–200,000 km, €1,500–4,000); air suspension (compressor, air springs) (100,000–200,000 km, €600–2,500); EGR / DPF (120,000–200,000 km, €400–1,800). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Audi A8 (D3) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 250+ thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (13.3 %), tyres and wheels (7.2 %), suspension (6.1 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Audi A8 (D3)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. On the test drive, watch for these signs: rattle at rear of engine; judder pulling away, jerks, 'gearbox fault' limp mode. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Audi A1 (8X) 2010–2018Audi A1 (GB) 2018–Audi A2 1999–2005Audi A3 (8L) 1996–2003Audi A3 (8P) 2003–2012Audi A3 (8V) 2012–2020Audi A3 (8Y) 2020–Audi A4 (B5) 1994–2001Audi A4 (B6) 2000–2004Audi 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 A8 (D4) 2010–2017Audi A7 (4G) 2010–2018Audi A7 (4K) 2018–Audi A8 (D5) 2017–Audi A5 (B10) 2024–
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Audi Q5 (8R) 2008–2017Audi Q7 (4L) 2006–2015Porsche Cayenne (958 / 9Y0) 2010–Volkswagen Touareg II 2010–2018Porsche Panamera 2009–Volkswagen Amarok I 2010–2022Volkswagen Touareg I 2002–2010
Other Audi models
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. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). 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 08/10/2026