Timing chain wear
Signs: Rattle at rear of engine
Fix: Replace chains (gearbox off)
2015–now
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Audi Q7 (4M) has been built since 2015.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 7 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 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (6.5 %), suspension (3.9 %), lights, wipers and visibility (2.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension. It fails less often than average on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility.
| 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 |
| 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · VW 504.00 / 502.00 · ~4.6–5.7 L · every 15,000 km |
Signs: Rattle at rear of engine
Fix: Replace chains (gearbox off)
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating warning
Fix: Replace the pump + thermostat module
Signs: Whistle at idle, lean codes, oil leaks
Fix: Replace PCV / oil separator
Signs: Rough idle, misfires (direct injection)
Fix: Walnut blasting
Signs: Rattle on start; early engines only
Fix: Upgraded tensioner and chain
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
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 |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| 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 |
| AWD coupling (Haldex) oil + filterTransmission | every 60,000 km or every 36 months | €60–150 |
| 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 |
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: 29,176 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.5 % | 1.5 % | 2.1 % | 2.6 % | 1.4 % |
| Suspension | 0.7 % | 3.9 % | 6.2 % | 7.0 % | 6.7 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 6.5 % | 6.5 % | 6.8 % | 7.3 % | 7.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 2.0 % | 2.6 % | 3.4 % | 3.4 % | 4.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.2 % | 0.6 % | 0.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 0.9 % | 1.9 % | 2.5 % | 3.0 % |
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 180 complaints.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (13). 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.
The other recalls (5) are listed in the app.
Audi Q2 2016–Audi Q3 (8U) 2011–2018Audi Q3 (F3) 2018–Audi Q5 (8R) 2008–2017Audi Q5 (FY) 2017–Audi Q7 (4L) 2006–2015Audi Q4 e-tron 2021–Audi Q6 e-tron 2024–
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