Endurance
4.6
Reputation:8.8/10
Coverage:9.7/10
Cost:9.1/10
Transparency:9.5/10
Customer Experience:8.5/10
Quick Facts
- BestComprehensive Coverage
- Mileage Covered: Unlimited Mileage
- Longest Warranty Term: Up to 8 years
- Money-Back Guarantee: Up to 30 Days
- Coverage Options:6 different plans to choose from
- Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan Coverage and Perks
| Plan coverage includes | Endurance Elite perks™ |
|---|---|
| Exclusionary plan | One-year membership for free |
| Powertrain plan | Tire repair and replacement |
| Maintainance coverage with Endurance Advantage | Key fob replacement |
| Roadside assistance | Total loss protection |
| Towing | Collision discount |
| Rental car | $250 rewards voucher |
| Trip interruption coverage | Endurance Protect app |
Audi Maintenance Schedule
Completing scheduled maintenance services at the intervals recommended by the Audi manufacturer will keep your car in top shape. See the table below for some of the minor and standard maintenance services that Audi recommends on its maintenance schedule.
| Maintenance Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Minor maintenance | • Brake pad and brake system check • Engine oil change • Oil filter change • Multi-point inspection |
| Standard maintenance | • Body and chassis check • Brake pad and brake system check • Coolant check • Engine oil change • Oil filter change • Exterior lighting check • Multi-point inspection • Tire rotation and check • Windshield wiper fluid check • Wiper blade check |
Additional maintenance items to be completed at varying times based on model include:
- Spark plug replacements
- Transmission fluid changes
- Air filter replacements
- Dust and pollen filter changes
- Brake fluid changes and more
Audi recommends having your first minor maintenance service after one year or 10,000 miles. Minor services thereafter are recommended every two years or 20,000 miles. Standard services should continue every two years or 20,000 miles of ownership.
Audi Prepaid Maintenance Plans
Audi Care is a prepaid maintenance plan that covers your vehicle’s maintenance services for a specific period of time or mileage, depending on the plan. Plans are based on your car’s model year. See the table below for more details.
| Audi Model Year | Maintenance Coverage |
|---|---|
| 2020 and newer | Six packages with coverage up to 80,000 miles |
| 2017 to 2019 Audi models | Six packages with coverage up to 90,000 miles |
| 2010 to 2016 Audi models | Five packages with coverage up to 85,000 miles |
Audi requires those owners with prepaid maintenance plans to have services completed at an authorized U.S. Audi dealership. It’s good to note that once scheduled, these appointments can’t be canceled, are non-refundable and may not be transferred to another vehicle.
Audi Maintenance and Repair Costs
When it comes to maintenance and repair costs it’s wise to know what to expect. That way, when your Audi needs it, you can better budget for these necessary services.
Unfortunately, Audi owners face maintenance costs that are higher than the average. Keep in mind that your Audi’s exact maintenance and repair costs will vary depending on factors such as your model, vehicle mileage and more.
Average Maintenance Cost for Audi
RepairPal, a provider of free car ownership resources, estimates that the average annual maintenance cost of an Audi is $987. This is more than double the average cost of maintenance across 32 car brands and includes both regular maintenance and unexpected repairs.
See the table below for a comparison of popular Audi models, how much they cost to maintain yearly and reliability ratings from RepairPal.
| Audi Model | RepairPal Reliability Rating | Average Yearly Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A6 | 3.5 out of 5 | $913 |
| Audi Q5 | 3 out of 5 | $928 |
| Audi A3 | 3.5 out of 5 | $741 |
| Audi Q7 | 2.5 out of 5 | $1,185 |
Audi Repair Cost
If you don’t keep up with Audi’s recommended scheduled maintenance, a mechanical breakdown requiring major repairs is much more likely to happen. See some examples below of what you might pay for various repairs on an Audi:
| Audi Model | Common Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A5 | Trans mount replacement | $260 to $280 |
| Audi A7 Sportback | Crankshaft position sensor replacement | $580 to $748 |
| Audi A4 Allroad | Intake air temperature sensor replacement | $124 to $135 |
| Audi TT RS Quattro | Turbocharger boost pressure solenoid replacement | $643 to $792 |
| Audi RS5 | Ignition switch replacement | $194 to $221 |
RepairPal states that on average, 13% of all Audi repairs are considered severe in comparison to 12% across all makes and models. In addition, the average Audi is likely to visit a repair shop twice as often per year as other vehicles.
Is Audi Reliable?
According to reputable companies in the auto industry, Audi does not rank well in studies based on reliability. It received a reliability score of 3 out of 5 from RepairPal, which puts it at 28th out of 32 total car brands. By that standard, Audi is one of the most likely car brands to suffer mechanical issues or breakdowns with its models, making maintenance services important and extended warranties an option that should strongly be considered.
In addition, the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ ranked Audi even lower than RepairPal with a ranking of 30th out of 32 total brands. This means that luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz amongst others rank higher than Audi in reliability.
Can a Car Warranty Lower Your Audi Maintenance Cost?
Because most Audi models have high repair costs, an extended warranty is a worthwhile consideration to alleviate any concern you may have about paying out of pocket for pricey repairs. Available options for purchasing an extended warranty include one backed by Audi or one offered by an independent, third-party provider. Learn more about both options below.
Audi Extended Warranty
An Audi extended warranty can provide coverage for mechanical repairs for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. You can choose from three plans known as the Platinum, Gold and Powertrain plans. Learn more about them below.
| Audi Extended Warranty | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Platinum | This is Audi’s exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper warranty plan that covers all mechanical parts of your car unless they’re specifically listed as not covered in the contract. Exclusions include routine maintenance items and parts such as body panels, upholstery and more. |
| Gold | This mid-level vehicle service contract provides the same coverage as the powertrain protection with the addition of the front and rear suspension, climate control, fuel and electrical components. |
| Powertrain | This plan offers standard powertrain warranty protection that covers your engine, transmission, drive axle(s) and certain electrical and hybrid components. |
Audi Extended Warranty Benefits
Each Audi extended warranty plan includes additional perks like:
- 24-hour roadside assistance
- Towing reimbursem*nt
- Rental car reimbursem*nt
- Trip interruption coverage
- Four deductible options
- Genuine Audi parts installed by Audi-trained technicians
Extended Warranty Coverage From an Independent Provider
While an extended warranty backed by Audi can provide you with coverage after your factory warranty expires, a vehicle service contract from an independent provider is also an excellent choice.
Third-party plans often provide greater flexibility and a larger variety of coverage levels to choose from over manufacturer-backed plans. In addition, extended car warranty costs are often much cheaper through an independent provider versus an Audi dealer. While Audi does offer a prepaid maintenance plan, it’s separate from the company’s extended warranties. Some third-party providers offer vehicle service contracts included with maintenance benefits.
It’s good to note that if you’re concerned about genuine Audi parts being used to repair your vehicle or the work on your car being done by Audi-trained technicians, a manufacturer-backed plan is probably the best choice for you.
Audi Maintenance: The Bottom Line
Audi models don’t rank highly in reliability studies and cost more than the average vehicle to repair and maintain. If you love your vehicle but are concerned about paying out of pocket for unexpected repairs, we encourage you to consider an extended warranty plan. These plans can provide you with both peace of mind and protection for your Audi.
Endurance
4.6
Reputation:8.8/10
Coverage:9.7/10
Cost:9.1/10
Transparency:9.5/10
Customer Experience:8.5/10
Quick Facts
- BestComprehensive Coverage
- Mileage Covered: Unlimited Mileage
- Longest Warranty Term: Up to 8 years
- Money-Back Guarantee: Up to 30 Days
- Coverage Options:6 different plans to choose from
- Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan Coverage and Perks
| Plan coverage includes | Endurance Elite perks™ |
|---|---|
| Exclusionary plan | One-year membership for free |
| Powertrain plan | Tire repair and replacement |
| Maintainance coverage with Endurance Advantage | Key fob replacement |
| Roadside assistance | Total loss protection |
| Towing | Collision discount |
| Rental car | $250 rewards voucher |
| Trip interruption coverage | Endurance Protect app |
Best Maintenance Warranties
We’ve analyzed dozens of extended car warranty companies based on reputation, coverage, cost, company transparency and customer experience to provide you with recommendations to start with when gathering car warranty quotes. We suggest starting your search with Endurance and Carchex, two of the top-ranking companies in our review.
Endurance: Most Comprehensive Coverage
Endurance is unique because it both sells and administers its vehicle service contract without the help of a third-party administrator. You’ll find six levels of coverage with Endurance that can cover vehicles with up to 200,000 miles on them, making its plans a great pick for a used car warranty. It also offers a plan known as EnduranceAdvantage™ that combines breakdown coverage with maintenance benefits.
Read more: Endurance Warranty Review
Carchex: Great Industry Reputation
Carchex has over 20 years of industry experience and is partnered with reputable auto companies such as Edmunds, Carfax and Kelley Blue Book. It provides you with five warranty plans to choose from that range from bumper-to-bumper to powertrain protection, and can cover vehicles up to 20 years old. In addition, it also offers extra benefits such as trip interruption coverage, roadside assistance and rental car reimbursem*nt.
Read more: Carchex Review
Best Industry Reputation 9.1/10
Coverage for vehicles up to 250,000 miles and excellent customer service.
Learn More
Audi Maintenance Plan: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Audis:
According to RepairPal, BMW models are slightly cheaper to maintain than an Audi, with an average repair and maintenance cost of $968 per year in comparison to an annual average of $987 across Audi models.
All new Audi models come with a factory warranty which provides four years or 50,000 miles of powertrain and bumper-to-bumper protection. In addition, you’ll benefit from four years and unlimited miles of 24-hour roadside assistance for free.
The J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ ranked Audi as 30th out of 32 total auto brands for reliability. This is lower than most other luxury vehicle brands. What this means is that Audis are more likely to break down, and so require routine maintenance services. For those not wanting to pay for expensive repairs, an extended warranty might be a good investment.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best extended car warranty companies. We collected data on dozens of auto warranty providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Reputation: Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when conferring this score.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for warranty coverage, long contract terms and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost: Auto warranty companies with affordable rates and multiple deductibles scored highest in this category.
- Transparency: This score is based on contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer experience: Based on customer satisfaction ratings and our extensive shopper analysis, we consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each warranty company’s customer service team.
Our credentials:
- 500+ hours researched
- 50 companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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