Models · Audi
Audi A4 B8 buying guide
The B8 A4 was sold from 2008 to 2015 as a saloon and Avant, with the raised allroad quattro from 2009, and a wide range of TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. It was facelifted in 2012 with revised styling, standard stop/start and revised suspension and steering.
The versions
- Petrol: 1.8 TFSI (120 to 170PS), 2.0 TFSI (180 to 225PS), 3.2 FSI V6 (265PS) and 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 (272PS)
- Diesel: 2.0 TDI (120 to 190PS, including the low-CO2 TDIe and Ultra), 2.7 TDI V6 (190PS) and 3.0 TDI V6 (240 or 245PS)
- 6-speed manual, multitronic CVT, 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch (from 2009) and 6-speed tiptronic on some quattro versions
- Front-wheel drive or quattro; the allroad has quattro as standard
- Saloon, Avant, and allroad quattro from 2009
What to check on a B8 A4
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Petrol: oil use
What to look for: Ask how much oil the car uses between services. Check the level on the dashboard, and look for fresh oil around the top of the engine, which can mean it's just been topped up. On a 1.8 TFSI, listen for a whistle at idle.
Why it matters: Some four-cylinder engines can use up to a litre of oil every 1,000 miles. On the 1.8 TFSI, a whistle often comes from a faulty crankcase breather (PCV) valve rather than the turbo, and the fix is usually inexpensive.
Misfires and rough running
What to look for: Let the engine idle and feel for a regular stumble. On the drive, watch for the engine warning light. A diagnostic scan shows any misfire history.
Why it matters: On four-cylinder petrols, misfires can come from the wrong grade of spark plug or oil contaminating the coil packs. On the 2.0 TDI, rough running can point to the high-pressure fuel pump.
2.0 TDI: water pump and cambelt
What to look for: Look for coolant stains under the car and check the coolant tank is between its marks. In the history, find the date of the last cambelt change.
Why it matters: The 2.0 TDI water pump can fail, usually as a leak. The cambelt is due every five years, and it's sensible to change the water pump at the same time.
Also in the full guide
- Steering kickback
- quattro and allroad drivetrain
- Recall work
- Water in the footwells
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the B8 A4
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Audi.