Is an Audi Extended Warranty Worth Buying?

Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.

Audi factory warranty coverage only lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles past the car’s in-service date, so many drivers continue vehicle protection with an Audi extended warranty. This guide will look at what’s covered by Audi’s extended coverage plans and how much they generally cost.

We at CARCHEX recommend looking for options that are affordable, offer standout protection, and come with a commitment to quality service. That way, you’ll find one of the best extended car warranty plans that allows your vehicle to stay on the road for years to come.

Audi offers three tiers of extended coverage through its Vehicle Service Protection (VSP) plans. The Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain warranty choices from Audi each provide up to 10 years/120,000 miles of coverage.

Below, we’ll explain the coverage differences that come with each Audi Pure Protection extended warranty plan. Remember that it’s smart to compare these options with coverage from independent auto warranty providers such as CARCHEX.

Audi Platinum Plan

The most complete Audi extended warranty plan is the Platinum VSP, which is comparable to a manufacturer warranty. It offers exclusionary coverage, so only specifically mentioned parts are left out of Audi’s coverage. However, you’ll still need to pay for maintenance components such as spark plugs, brake pads, and windshield wiper blades.

Audi Gold Plan

The Gold VSP warranty covers your entire powertrain along with the front and rear suspension, climate control, fuel, and electric components. Many parts for hybrid and electric vehicles are also included in coverage, though not every part is eligible. You’ll lose coverage for the steering system, brakes, CV boots, navigation, audio, and high-tech features compared to Platinum.

Audi Powertrain Plan

You’ll receive basic protection for your car’s engine, transmission, drive axle, and hybrid and electric parts with the Audi’s Powertrain VSP. While it’s the least comprehensive plan, drivers will also pay the least for it.

Comparison of Audi Extended Warranty Plans

Below is a table comparing the three Audi extended car warranty plans offered by the automaker. While the Platinum VSP is far more extensive than the Gold or Powertrain offerings, it also comes with a higher price tag.

Remember that coverage details for Quattro models may not always apply to a typical Audi A4. Read your owner’s manual or reach out to an Audi dealer to learn specifics about your extended warranty coverage.

It’s smart to weigh Audi extended warranty options from the brand itself, but make sure not to overlook offerings from companies like CARCHEX. Oftentimes, drivers find cheaper and more comprehensive choices from third-party manufacturers than from Audi itself.

Audi Extended Warranty Additional Coverage

The Audi extended warranty can be expanded by including the following coverage add-ons:

• Term protection
• Tire and wheel protection
• Dent protection
• Windshield protection
• Key protection
• Lease-end protection
• Guaranteed asset protection
• Theft protection
• Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) service protection

While these coverage plans are entirely optional, many drivers gain complete peace of mind by knowing that their Audi will be safe for years to come.

Motorists can expect to gain multiple coverage perks with an Audi extended warranty, but also a few exclusions. We’ll quickly run through a few benefits and limitations of Audi’s coverage.

Audi Extended Warranty Benefits

Expect your Audi extended warranty to come with the perks listed below. There’s no need to purchase coverage beyond your extended car warranty plan to gain access to the following:

• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Towing coverage
• Rental car reimbursement
• Trip interruption coverage
• Cancelable for full refund within 30 days
• Deductibles of $0, $100, $100 disappearing, and $250

While these benefits are nice to have with your Audi extended warranty, drivers often gain similar perks when they choose CARCHEX. Many motorists gain access to them at lower overall prices too.

Audi Extended Warranty Exclusions

As with most extended coverage options, Audi’s VSP plans leave some parts and situations out of coverage. We’ve outlined some of the most important ones here:

• Wear and tear parts like brake pads and spark plugs
• Maintenance services such as oil changes and tire rotations
• Damages due to collisions, the environment, theft, and vandalism
• Body panels, trim, and upholstery
• Issues caused by lack of upkeep or improper modifications

Many wear and tear parts and maintenance services turn into covered repairs with additional Audi extended warranty coverage, but basic plans exclude them. Remember also that Audi’s coverage won’t cover problems caused by accidents, as plans are specifically intended for repairs after mechanical breakdowns.

Many motorists find that extended warranty companies such as CARCHEX offer benefits and lower costs than Audi itself. You’ll gain the following upsides when you opt for extended coverage from CARCHEX:

• Cheaper average costs: Drivers typically save considerable money when they choose a plan from CARCHEX. This is especially true of luxury car brands such as Audi, which often charge higher-than-average rates for extended coverage.
• Stronger contracts: Audi extended warranty plans last for up to 10 years/120,000 miles. Vehicle service contracts from CARCHEX instead reach for a full 10 years/250,000 miles.
• Wide-ranging coverage options: The Audi extended warranty has multiple options, but CARCHEX does as well. You’ll be able to pick one of five plans that extend from basic powertrain coverage up to the equivalent of a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
• Flexible repair shop choices: You’ll need to have your car serviced at an Audi dealership if you choose one of the automaker’s plans. Meanwhile, CARCHEX lets you have your vehicle repaired at any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^Ⓡ).
• More time to choose: You’ll generally need to buy your extended warranty from Audi right when you buy your vehicle. With CARCHEX, you can purchase extended coverage at nearly any point in your car’s life.

Remember that independent Audi extended warranties may not come with genuine Audi parts or factory-certified technicians, though. If these two details are important to you, it may be better to stick with the automaker’s plans even if they’re pricier.

It’s best to do some research on reliability scores before picking up an Audi extended warranty. That way, you’ll be able to find out how likely potential repairs are and how much they could cost without extended coverage. It’s critical that you factor in your own financial situation as well.

Audi Reliability Scores

Audi is known for its luxury vehicles, but it’s less regarded for the dependability of its cars. RepairPal gives Audi 3.0 stars out of 5.0 for its reliability, ranking it 28th of 32 brands overall.

Results from the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ aren’t much better, with Audi being ranked 25th out of 32 automakers. Note that RepairPal pegs the average annual repair cost for an Audi at $987, far higher than the industry average of $652 per year.

Common Audi Repair Costs

Below are some common repairs performed on Audi models and how much they typically cost. All numbers listed in the table come from RepairPal.

Though Audi owners may value the brand’s luxury experience, they likely won’t appreciate the cost of repairing their vehicle. That’s where coverage from reputable extended car warranty companies like CARCHEX can help to reduce costs.

What’s Included in the Audi Factory Warranty?

All new cars from Audi come with a 4-year/50,000-mile factory warranty. You’ll receive protection for most vehicle components during this period, but could end up with significant repair costs if coverage on your new Audi isn’t extended.

Additional pieces of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty from Audi include the following:

• 12-year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty
• 4-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance services

Note that Audi’s powertrain warranty only lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles. This is shorter than other automakers and may leave your vehicle vulnerable to potentially costly car repairs. Motorists who’d prefer to avoid the hassle of mechanical breakdowns should look at picking up coverage from CARCHEX, Audi, or another auto warranty provider.

What’s in the Audi CPO Warranty?

The Audi certified pre-owned warranty offers 2 years/50,000 miles of coverage for your used car. That’s not very long, so it may be smart to consider used car warranties from either the automaker or from CARCHEX.