What do you think about a high-mileage Audi A4?

What are your thoughts on an Audi A4 2.0 TDI with relatively high mileage (100,000 give or take)? 2008 onwards would only be considered due to lower tax. Anything to look for other than full service history?

Shane Sheridan (Dublin)

Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Shane,

As with any current turbodiesel model, the first thing to check is the diesel particulate filter. Drive the car at a steady 2,500rpm in fourth gear for around 16km and see if the DPF warning light goes out. If it does, all is fine. The 2.0 TDI engine needs a cambelt change every 110,000km so make absolutely sure that's been done as it's an expensive job and a total engine failure if it goes when you're driving.

If the car has the MMI infotainment system then make sure that all the functions are working, as problems are apparently hard to diagnose and expensive to fix. Check the front passenger floor mat for dampness - the air conditioning system can sometimes flood with water draining down from the windscreen and leak onto the floor. Glovebox catches and (more worryingly) seatbelt anchors are prone to wear, so check both. Watch for tracking issues on S-Line cars with sports suspension. A dull thudding noise from the front might be a worn anti-roll bar drop link too.

Hope that helps

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe