Models · Audi
Audi Q7 4M buying guide
The second Q7 arrived in August 2015 as a seven-seat SUV with quattro on every version and the 3.0 TDI V6 diesel as its main engine. A facelift in 2019 added mild-hybrid assistance. All engines drive their camshafts by chain, and most of the known issues are electrical or recall items.
The versions
- 3.0 TDI V6 diesel: 218PS and 272PS from 2015, 231PS and 286PS after the 2019 facelift
- Mild-hybrid assistance from the 2019 facelift
- Automatic gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive on every version
- Adaptive air suspension on some cars, which also raises the towing limit from 2,800kg to 3,500kg
- Plug-in hybrid versions were also sold but aren't covered here (the SQ7 has its own page)
What to check on a 4M Q7
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Coolant leaks
What to look for: With the engine cold, check the coolant level and ask whether it has needed topping up. Look under the front of the car where it has been parked, and around the engine with a torch, for coolant traces.
Why it matters: Some Q7s have suffered coolant leaks. Audi knows about the problem and a dealer can fix it in about a day, so ask whether it has been done.
Diesel cold start and AdBlue
What to look for: Ask for the engine to be cold when you arrive, and listen for rough or noisy running in the first minutes. Watch the dashboard for AdBlue or emissions warnings, and ask whether any have appeared before.
Why it matters: Diesel owners report emissions-related problems and noisy running, especially from cold. The AdBlue system can be hard to fix when it plays up, with the fault sometimes coming from a level sensor, dosing pump or NOx sensor. A clean dashboard and a quiet warm-up are the good signs.
Electrics, screens and warning lights
What to look for: Spend a few minutes working every electrical feature: the screens, sat-nav, phone connection, seats, tailgate and driver assistance systems. Note any warning lights after starting.
Why it matters: Electrical faults are the most common problem owners report on this Q7, with warning lights and infotainment faults that often need a dealer reset or replacement part. Frozen screens and random restarts are often traced to a weak battery or a drain on it, so ask about the battery's age.
Also in the full guide
- Air suspension ride height
- Steering and suspension recalls
- Gearbox oil leaks and other recalls
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the 4M Q7
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.