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Buying guide

Audi A4 B8 (2007 to 2016): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Audi A4 B8 was built from 2007 to 2016 as a sedan or wagon, with a manual, automatic or dual clutch gearbox, front wheel drive or all wheel drive and petrol or diesel power. Chassis codes: B8 and 8K. Redline has a curated guide to its 8 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2007 to 2016
Chassis codes
B8, 8K
Body types
Sedan, Wagon
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic, Dual clutch
Drive
FWD (front wheel drive), AWD (all wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Audi A4 B8 (2008 to 2015). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. Petrol oil consumption

    Petrol engines, especially the four cylinders, can burn oil, up to about a litre every 1,000 miles.

    Where to look
    The oil level on the dash display, and the top of the engine under the cover
    How to test
    Check the oil level reading and lift the engine cover to look for fresh spilt oil from a recent top up.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost piston and ring work if heavy

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab), autoexpress.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  2. 2.0 TDI water pump

    The water pump on the 2.0 TDI is a known failure point, usually showing as a leak.

    Where to look
    The coolant reservoir and the ground under the engine
    How to test
    Check the coolant level and strength and look for coolant stains under the car.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost water pump and coolant

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  3. Misfires and fuel pump

    Four cylinder petrols can misfire from the wrong plug grade or oil in the coil pack sleeves, and the 2.0 TDI can run rough from high pressure fuel pump trouble.

    Where to look
    The coil packs and plugs, and the high pressure fuel pump on the diesel
    How to test
    Feel for a random misfire or cough, and ask for a fault code scan.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost coils and plugs, or a fuel pump

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  4. Steering rack and pipes

    Excessive kickback through the wheel or tugging and veering can point to the power steering rack or high pressure pipe.

    Where to look
    The steering rack and power steering pipes
    How to test
    Drive slowly over a rough road and brake sharply from about 40 km/h, feeling for tremors and pulling.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a steering rack

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  5. Water leaks after windscreen replacement

    Wet carpets or water running down the trim by the accelerator often follow a poorly refitted windscreen or scuttle panel.

    Where to look
    The driver footwell, the trim near the accelerator and the scuttle panel below the wipers
    How to test
    Feel the carpets for damp and look for water marks on the trim.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost resealing and drying

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  6. 1.8 TFSI breather whistle

    A whistle under the bonnet of the 1.8 TFSI is often a faulty PCV valve, a common and cheap fix.

    Where to look
    The crankcase breather valve on the 1.8 TFSI
    How to test
    Listen for a whistle at idle and on light throttle.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost a new PCV valve

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  7. Recalls

    Recalls covered brake servos on cars built January 2012 to August 2014, airbags on cars built November 2011 to October 2014, and fuel leaks on early 3.0 TDIs.

    Where to look
    The recall record for the VIN
    How to test
    Ask an Audi dealer to confirm all recalls have been done.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost recall work is free at an Audi dealer

    Sources: autoexpress.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  8. Quattro and allroad driveline

    Abused Quattro and allroad cars can have underbody damage, clunking rear driveshafts or moaning diffs.

    Where to look
    The underbody, rear driveshafts and differentials
    How to test
    On a loose surface, ease the throttle on and off and listen for clunks and moans. Look underneath for damage.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost driveshafts or diff work

    Sources: parkers.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Service items

Questions to ask the seller

  • Which engine is it, and is it manual, multitronic or S tronic?
  • How much oil does it use?
  • On a 2.0 TDI, when were the cambelt and water pump last done?
  • Have the brake servo and airbag recalls been done?
  • Has the windscreen been replaced?

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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