How Long Do Audi Q8 Last? (Solved & Explained)

The Audi Q8 is a mid-size, two-row luxury SUV and is the German automaker’s flagship model.

It first hit the market in 2019 and features a classy cutting-edge interior, desirable tech goodies and lively driving responses.

If you’re considering a Q8 as your next vehicle, you might be wondering about its average lifespan.

We’ll cover that in this article, read on to find out…

Here is the short answer to how long the Audi Q8 lasts:

The Audi Q8 is a durable, midsize SUV that can last 150,000 – 200,000 miles with proper care, regular maintenance and conservative driving habits. Based on an annual mileage of 15,000 miles, the Audi Q8 can last between 10 – 13 years before breaking down or requiring expensive repairs.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from an Audi Q8?

Being such a new model there’s not a huge amount of historical evidence surrounding the Q8, however we’ve made a general assessment based upon trusted industry data and similar models in Audi’s lineup.

The Q8 is expected to have a respectable lifespan of around 150,000 to 200,000 miles. When these types of mileages have been achieved maintenance costs can gradually creep up and the chance of big-ticket items failing, such as the engine or transmission, is much higher.

When this happens the costs of repairs may outweigh the vehicle’s value, and money would be better spent on an upgrade.

Although there aren’t many high mileage Q8s yet that have gone past the 100,000 mile mark, the Q7 is a good benchmark for the Q8’s longevity. 

First-generation Q7s from 2005 are still a fairly common sight, and their interiors hold up remarkably well even after many years of use.

As far as mechanical and build quality is concerned, Audis are fairly robust vehicles. But they can be very expensive to repair, especially if it’s done through an Audi dealership.

According to Consumer Reports Audis rank about mid pack in terms of reliability.

As with any car getting the most life from your Q8 will come down to a few key factors at ownership level.

Sure, their typically designed to be driven sportingly but overworking the engine or being too aggressive with the gas and brake pedals can be hard on any vehicle.

Regular maintenance can also add thousands of available miles to the odometer.  

The life expectancy of your Audi Q8 will be cut short if you avoid:

• Using quality parts
• Service appointments
• Routine oil changes
• Tire rotations
• Driving smoothly

Do Audi Q8 Rust Easily?

The Q8 should be very resilient against rust thanks to Audi’s corrosion protection technology incorporated during vehicle design and production line assembly. 

• The Q8s body (and steel panels) are all dipped in zinc, a rust inhibitor that fills every nook and cranny.
• During production it has all its seams and openings sealed and filled with fillers.
• The underside is sprayed with another coating to protect it from saltwater during shipping, the majority of which stays on for a very long time.
• Wheel wells are completely lined with plastic/felt/composite material and covers all metal.

Despite the high standard of rust protection, you don’t want to become complacent as no vehicle is completely safe from rust.

Rust problems are much more common in humid climates, places where roads are aggressively salted during the winter and coastal regions due to salt in the air.

If you live in a high-risk area, we recommend taking extra precautions, however additional rust-proofing on a Q8 is often not advised due to the high standard of rust-proofing that takes place during manufacturing. Most Audi experts will tell you to save your money.

Tips to protect your Audi Q8 from rust:

• Regularly wash and dry your car: This includes its underside (especially during the winter) to remove the salt, dirt and grime that causes rust. We recommend having a detail shop wash everything underneath at the end of each winter.
• Repair paint damage and scratches: Exposed metal will oxidize. If it’s beyond a DIY fix, speak to your local body repair shop.
• Garage: Store your Audi Q8 in a garage to protect it from harsh weather and bird droppings.
• Waxing: Wax your car twice a year. Not only will this give your Audi a nice shine, it also gives it a protective coating against rust.
• Rustproofing: If you’re planning on keeping your Audi Q8 for a very long time, you might want to consider a rustproofing treatment; popular choices are Krown and Rust Check.
• Ceramic Coating: A popular choice for those who want to add an extra layer of protection to the paint job.

All Audis are protected by a 12-year corrosion perforation warranty

What is High Mileage for an Audi Q8?

An Audi Q8 with 100,000 miles is considered high mileage. This would make for a much riskier purchase due to a higher chance of electronic and mechanical faults occurring in the not too distant future.

Buying a used Q8 with over 100k miles will not necessarily equate to a bad purchase, however it’s essential to do a thorough background check and inspection of the vehicle.

You should not base any decision purely on mileage alone.

A well-maintained Q8 with 100,000 miles on the clock might be a better purchase than one with 70,000 miles that had lots of owners, led a rough life or was a prior rental car.

Quite a few Audi buyers will look for used vehicles in states (at least in the US) with little or no snow and moderate temperatures and full-service history is essential regardless of where the car has been driven.

Some important considerations to make:

When buying a used Audi Q8, always consider the following:

1. Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide evidence of this.
2. Get a second opinion. Take it to an independent auto repair shop or at least have it inspected by a mechanic you trust.
3. Check the CarFax. This doesn’t guarantee anything but it will provide a clearer picture of wear-and-tear. Ensure it has minimal damage, if any. Review the information to make sure if something happened such as engine- or transmission-related.
4. Number of previous owners. As a general rule, less is better. More owners usually means more wear-and-tear. If one family owned it and drove the full mileage and serviced the car, then you can almost guarantee they took good care of it throughout their ownership.
5. How long you are planning on keeping the car. If you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time, you should evaluate whether the short-term savings outweigh spending a bit extra on something more reliable.

How Long Does the Audi Q8 Last Compared to its Rivals?

In this section, we take a closer look at the Audi Q8’s main competitors and see how they stack up in terms of reliability.

Since the Audi Q8 was just released, reliability data isn’t widely available yet.

In such cases, we’ll look at equivalent models from the same brand for comparison.

Audi Q8 vs. Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne uses the same platform as the Q8, but adds more sportiness and performance to the mix — and at a much higher price.

Similar to the Q8, you can expect to get 150,000 – 200,000 miles out of the Cayenne before repairs become uneconomical.

• RepairPal gave the Porsche Cayenne a reliability rating of 1.5/5. It doesn’t have any stats for the Q8, but it gave the Q7 a higher score of 2.5/5.
• Average annual repair cost for the Cayenne is $1,231 which is only slightly higher than the Q7’s $1,185.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Cayenne a 4.3/5 for reliability while the Q8 got a much higher score of 4.8/5.
• J.D. Power gave the Cayenne a score of 78/100 for Quality and Reliability while the Audi Q8 got 79/100.

The Q8 and Cayenne may share the same platform, but they’re vastly different both inside and out.

The Cayenne has slightly better handling but some may find the ride too stiff. 

Both vehicles have the same expected lifespan but when it comes to overall reliability and cost of ownership, the Audi Q8 has a slight advantage. 

Audi Q8 vs. BMW X5

The BMW X5 combines comfort, luxury, handling and the latest technology in a very practical package that offers seating for seven people.

You can expect the typical BMW X5 to last 150,000 – 200,000 miles which is the same as what we’d expect from the Q8.

• RepairPal gave the BMW X5 a reliability rating of 2/5. It doesn’t have any stats for the Q8, but it gave the Q7 a slightly higher score of 2.5/5.
• Average annual repair cost for the Cayenne is $1,166 which is roughly similar to the Q7’s $1,185.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the BMW X5 a 4.3/5 for reliability while the Q8 got a much higher score of 4.8/5.
• J.D. Power gave the BMW X5 a score of 81/100 for Quality and Reliability while the Audi Q8 got 79/100.

The BMW X5 is one of the most popular midsize luxury SUVs in the U.S., and it’s definitely one of the top choices in the segment.

The Q8 and X5 have similar reliability ratings, but the Q8 has a slight edge. The Q8 is more exclusive and less common than the X5, although it’s also more expensive.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do BMW X5 Last?

Audi Q8 vs. Mercedes Benz GLE

The Mercedes Benz GLE has a long history in the luxury SUV market that dates back to its predecessor, the Mercedes M-Class.

The GLE has a higher lifespan at 200,000 – 250,000 miles or 13 – 17 years compared to the average expected lifespan of the Audi Q8.

• RepairPal doesn’t have any data for the GLE, but gave the Mercedes Benz ML 350 a reliability rating of 3/5. It also doesn’t have any stats for the Q8, but it gave the Q7 a slightly lower score of 2.5/5.
• Average annual repair cost for the Mercedes ML 350 is $1,020 which is lower than the Q7’s $1,185.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Mercedes GLE a 3.7/5 for reliability while the Q8 got a much higher score of 4.8/5. It’s worth noting that all the negative complaints for the GLE were related to electronics and accessories.
• J.D. Power gave the Mercedes Benz GLE a score of 69/100 for Quality and Reliability while the Audi Q8 got a much higher 79/100.

Compared to Audi, Mercedes Benz has a better track record when it comes to the reliability of their SUVs.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Mercedes GLE Last?

Comparison Chart

Is the Audi Q8 Reliable?

There is relatively little data regarding the Q8s reliability however Consumer Reports have ranked Audi mid pack in terms of reliability. If we look at the history of its stablemate, the Audi Q7, the Q8 should have fairly average reliability.

New models often experience more complaints due to teething issues however there are no widespread reports of build quality issues for the Audi Q8.

The Q8 does have a lot of technology, electronics and sensors built into it – as there are so many there’s a greater chance of developing a fault – the most common problems occur with digital dashboard displays or consoles.

Here are some data points to further demonstrate the Audi Q8’s reliability:

• RepairPal gave the Audi brand an average reliability rating of 3/5.
• RepairPal also gave the Audi Q7 an average reliability rating of 2.5/5, and ranks it 8th out of 18 other luxury SUVs.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Audi Q8 a reliability rating of 4.8/5 which shows that owners are very happy with their vehicles.

The Audi Q8 comes with a 4 year / 50,000 mile basic warranty and a 4 year / 50,000 mile powertrain warranty.

The Best and Worst Years for the Audi Q8

The Audi Q8 has only been out for the last three years, so there aren’t too many reported issues with it yet.

But we’ve done some digging to find out the best and worst model years of the Audi Q8.

Worst Model Year

Despite the lack of available information, the 2019 Audi Q8 is likely the worst model year for the vehicle. 

As a general rule it’s better to avoid the first model year of any vehicle as these usually have the most manufacturing defects and software bugs.

The CarComplaints website also doesn’t have much data about the Audi Q8 or the latest generation Audi Q7. 

The 2019 Q8 is the only one with any issues reported. One was for a minor electrical failure and another for a low-speed acceleration issue.

Best Model Year

The 2022 and 2023 Audi Q8 are the best model years.  

Audi has had time to work out previous hardware and software issues associated with the earlier model years.

All trim levels have also received more standard features.

For example, the base model Premium trim has bigger 21-inch wheels, power-folding side mirrors and more safety tech.

Related: 4 Best & Worst Audi Q8 Years (With Facts & Stats)

Model Year and Number of Complaints

Here is the total number of complaints for every Audi Q8 model year from the NHTSA database.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Audi Q8 has had a total of 6 recall campaigns since it was first released in 2019.

You can check if your Audi Q8 has been subjected to a recall campaign by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on Audi’s site or the NHTSA recall database.

It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults repaired at no charge to the consumer.

Here is the total number of recall campaigns for every model year of the Audi Q8:

• 2022: 0
• 2021: 3
• 2020: 1
• 2019: 2

Audi Q8 Model Year List

First Generation:

• 2019 Audi Q8
• 2020 Audi Q8
• 2021 Audi Q8
• 2022 Audi Q8

Are Audi Q8s Expensive to Maintain?

Since all new Audi Q8s are still in warranty, there’s not much data available to determine how expensive this luxury SUV will be to repair in 5 to 10 years.

The Audi Q8 shares several engine options with the Audi Q7, as well as other Audi vehicles, so many of the engine, transmission and mechanical parts will be interchangeable.

However, it’s also got lots of sensors, computers, electronics and accessories that can only be fixed by an Audi dealership which can get very expensive over time. 

According to RepairPal:

Yearly repair and maintenance costs for an Audi averages out at $987 while the Audi Q7 has an average of $1,185. In comparison, the average for all midsize luxury SUVs is $807.

According to CarEdge:

An Audi Q8 will run you roughly $12,551 in upkeep during its first 10 years. This is cheaper than the average maintenance and repair costs for luxury SUV models by $2,909.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

The Audi Q8’s brakes can last up to 50,000 miles if you do a lot of highway driving.

This figure can be cut in half to approximately 30,000 miles if you mostly drive in stop-and-go traffic. 

Brake pad life can vary widely and depends a lot on your driving habits.

• You can expect your brakes to wear out sooner if you frequently stop and accelerate in rush-hour traffic
• Brake pad replacement, which includes parts and labor, can cost anywhere between $150 – $300 per axle if you take it to an independent Audi or Euro specialist.
• Audi dealers will charge between $1,500 to $2,000 per axle to replace the pads and rotors.
• Full and complete stops from a high speed are the #1 cause of premature brake pad wear.
• A sporty driving style will lead to faster deterioration of brakes, a slow and steady style will help them last longer.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

Audi Q8 tires may last up to 50,000 – 60,000 miles, while others may last as little as 10,000 miles. This is dependent on various factors such as driving habits, climate, and road conditions.

• Rotate tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even wear.
• Check tire pressures every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
• Have a mechanic check your wheel alignment every 6 months.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Audi Q7 Last?

How Long Do Audi Q8 Engines Last?

The Audi Q8 Engine is expected to last 150,000 – 200,000 miles or 10 – 13 years providing its well-kept. With exceptional maintenance theres no reason why these mileages can’t be exceeded.

The Audi Q8 uses the same V6 3.0-liter and V8 4.0-liter turbocharged engines that’s equipped in the latest generation Audi Q7 and A6. 

The turbochargers may need replacing at some point, but this is pretty normal for a turbocharged engine and won’t be too expensive or labor-intensive to fix.

How Long Do Audi Q8 Batteries Last?

The Audi Q8’s battery usually lasts between 3 – 5 years. A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

• Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your car can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
• Limit short rides: Quick car rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
• Storage: Keep your Audi stored indoors away from extreme changes in temperature.
• Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Audi recommends replacing the spark plugs on the V6 Audi Q8 every 60,000 miles or 6 years.

For the V8 engines in the SQ8 and RS Q8 models, the spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first.

Spark plugs are usually inspected every time you take it in for routine maintenance, and may be replaced earlier than expected if it’s necessary.

Signs of a fouled spark plug include:

• Reduced gas mileage
• Lack of acceleration
• Rough idling
• Hard starts
• Engine misfires

What About Insurance Costs?

The average cost of full comprehensive coverage for an Audi Q8 is $1,794 per year or around $150 per month. 

In comparison, its rivals in the midsize luxury SUV segment cost an average of $1,709 per year, which is $85 cheaper.

Insurance costs can vary from person to person; be sure to shop around to find the best possible deal for your Audi Q8.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Audi Q8

• Adopt smooth driving habits.
• Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
• Use quality parts and fluids.
• Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
• Regularly wash your Audi Q8 to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust developing.
• Check your Audi’s engine oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid levels and top them up when required.
• Keep your Audi stored in a garage to help protect it from the elements.
• Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your Audi needs and what quantity, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.

Resources

https://www.audiusa.com/myaudi/warranty

https://repairpal.com/reliability/audi

https://repairpal.com/audi/q8

https://repairpal.com/reliability/audi/q7

https://repairpal.com/reliability/porsche/cayenne

https://repairpal.com/reliability/bmw/x5

https://repairpal.com/reliability/mercedes-benz/ml350

https://enginepatrol.com/how-long-lincoln-aviator-last/

https://www.kbb.com/audi/q8/2020/

https://www.kbb.com/porsche/cayenne/2020/

https://www.kbb.com/bmw/x5/2020/

https://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/gle/2020/

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2020/audi/q8

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2020/porsche/cayenne

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2020/bmw/x5

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2021/mercedes-benz/gle

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Audi/Q8/

https://web.audiusa.com/recall/

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

https://caredge.com/audi/q8/maintenance

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10180343-0001.pdf

https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/audi/audi-q8-insurance/