Unless you have a ton of money to throw away, buying a reliable vehicle is a must. This means a vehicle that is low maintenance, requires few repairs, and isn’t riddled with recalls. Audi has a reputation for being a reliable automaker, and their top four vehicles are the best of the best.

1. Audi TT

Coupes aren’t for everyone, but there’s no doubt they have their allure. The Audi TT, according to carVertical, has everything that makes coupes so desirable in the first place, like gorgeous looks, the latest in tech, and a powerful engine. It’s also highly reliable.

CarVertical reported, “iSeeCars analysts analyzed over 11.8 million used cars sold in 2020 to pinpoint vehicles still being driven with (or over) 150,000 miles on the odometer. In the sports car category, 4.3% of the Audi TT cars had a mileage of 150,000 (or more), which is 2% more than the other affordable sports car – the Ford Mustang.”

The one area that the Audi TT was knocked for was maintenance. CarVertical recommends owners change the cambelt every 60,000 miles instead of every 80,000, which Audi recommends. This applies to the water pump as well. 

Audi A6

Previous generations of the A6 may have been knocked for being decidedly unreliable, but don’t let that turn you away from current models. Audi returned to the drawing board and made some significant changes that addressed the issues plaguing it.

The 2022 Audi A6 impressed Consumer Reports and was praised for its braking capabilities. The review site also loved the A6 for the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engines and its 26 mpg overall fuel efficiency rating.

Where it didn’t manage to impress was the fuel pumps which tend to act up, and the faulty coil packs. The hybrid systems also have issues which owners reported.

Audi A4

The Audi A4 has received praise for its responsive handling, an infotainment system loaded with many apps, and quiet cabin space. In an interesting twist, it’s available as both a sedan and wagon, which gives potential owners more choices.

CarVertical referred to a study from J.D. Power, which gave the Audi A4 a reliability score of 82 out of 100. Despite this, there were some reservations about the engine and tech. The thermostat housing and transmission pan leaks were also issues. 

Audi A3

The A3 was the vehicle that carVertical, considered the most reliable Audi of them all. The review site pointed to a study by What Car? which gave the A3 a reliability rating of 93.6%. 

The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offers plenty of power and generates 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. AWD is an option for those who wish to pay an extra $2,000.

However, nothing is perfect, and the Audi A3 is no exception. It tends to consume engine oil at a rate much higher than other vehicles in this segment. Owners are encouraged to check the oil levels regularly, which could be annoying for those who rely on the dash gauge to warn them about impending disasters.

Other areas that need to be monitored include the water pump, suspension mounts, and wheel bearings. For those who own an A3 with the Quattro system, the Haldex pump is something else to keep an eye on.

Despite this, the Audi A3 is a compact luxury sedan worth the $35,995 price tag.