Ready to drive like you’re in the luxury segment without the luxury prices?
It’s every car buyer’s dream to hit the streets in a premium ride that checks all the boxes in performance, style, and technology. But here’s the rub…
Buying new is an absolute financial kick in the teeth. Luxury prices are outrageous, and resale values get gouged within the first year.
So where does that leave you, the savvy shopper looking for a top-notch ride?
Used Audis of course!
Used Audi car brands offer the best solution for the smart buyer. Drive on the car sales autobahn in premium German engineering at a fraction of the price.
Bonus? You don’t get slammed by depreciation like a new luxury model.
If you’re in the market for a used Audi, then you’ve come to the right place. From value retention to sweet depreciation deals to performance and tech, we’ll dive into what makes Audis such a great buy on the used car market.
What you’ll discover:
- Value Retention That Actually Makes Sense
- Why Audi Maintenance Costs Beat The Competition
- The Sweet Spot for Maximum Savings
- Performance That Doesn’t Compromise
- Technology Features That Still Feel Modern
Value Retention That Actually Makes Sense
Here’s one of the most shocking tidbits that we found in our research…
Audi is a huge value leader for retention in the luxury segment. Luxury vehicle sales are down 46% this year, which creates a massive opportunity for smart shoppers in the market for a used Audi for sale.
Look at the numbers: Used car sales in the $15,000-$20,000 range were up 62.6% YoY.
Shrewd buyers are realizing that used luxury vehicles provide the greatest value for the money spent. What could be better than that?
But here’s where Audi really kicks up the performance…
The Audi TT RS retained 58.3% of its value after 5 years, putting it at the top in terms of resale value in the luxury car segment.
Even the standard TT coupe held 58.1%.
You’re getting a car that will retain its value over time better than nearly all luxury competitors.
Why Audi Maintenance Costs Beat The Competition
Here’s a secret about Audi that many owners don’t know…
They have ridiculously low maintenance costs for a luxury brand. And here’s the bombshell…
The average Audi costs $13,222 to repair and maintain over the life of the car’s first 10 years. BMW by comparison? $19,312 during the same period.
Yep, that’s almost $6k LESS in maintenance and repair!
But here’s the cherry on top…
The 2018 Audi A4 costs just $739/year in maintenance and repair according to RepairPal. Can you believe that?
Cheap for a luxury sedan that still turns heads and performs like a top tier luxury car.
Owners are taking notice. BMW and Mercedes are luxury brands that will drain your account with repairs. Audi is a German brand that offers German reliability at American prices.
The Sweet Spot for Maximum Savings
Here’s where things get really exciting when shopping used Audis…
If you buy a 2023 model used, you’ll pay only 74% of the original price with 83% of the useful life of the vehicle left. That’s 26% off the bat on a car that just left the showroom!
But the best sweet spot? 2-3 year old models.
Buying a 2 year old Audi A4 nets you a $17,607 savings over a brand new one. If you hang on to it for 3 years, your total depreciation cost is just $2,288. What a bargain!
It’s simple math really…
Have someone else take that massive first year depreciation hit. You get to score a luxury car at 37% off when the car is three years old, and maybe it’s still under warranty to boot.
Performance That Doesn’t Compromise
Does used mean you have to settle for less performance? Not at all.
Audi is an engineering marvel and that doesn’t stop when you hit the used market. Quattro AWD still grips the road and delivers zero in the handling department. Turbocharged engines? Still deliver solid Audi acceleration.
Take the 2017 Audi Q5 for example:
This SUV got an 82/100 in reliability rating from J.D. Power. That 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. V6? 272 horses and 295 pound-feet.
That’s sports car power in a luxury SUV package.
You don’t even have to go that new to score Audi performance. The 2013 A5 pumps out 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Not bad for a ten-year-old luxury coupe at a small fraction of the original sticker.
Technology Features That Still Feel Modern
Here’s one of the top things luxury car buyers look for in a used Audi…
The tech doesn’t feel dated or old. MMI infotainment, virtual cockpit, and tech options still remain relevant and useful in older models.
Audi Q3 from 2015 scores a perfect 85/100 in quality and reliability. 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Low-ball at $14,442 according to Autotrader’s recent used Audi market scan.
Compare that to a Mercedes-Benz GLA from the same year at $17k to start used. You get better reliability and tech scores and save some coin by going Audi.
But there’s more…
Audi has long been a pioneer in tech features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and premium audio systems. Even 5-7 year old Audis are loaded with tech that feels current in a used car.
Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Buy
Buyers, take note. The luxury car market is shifting in a major way:
Prices for new vehicles continue to rise. Used luxury cars are more appealing than ever. Economic uncertainty is flooding the market with more supply of good used luxury cars.
Dealers are motivated to move this inventory. Selection of quality used Audis has never been better.
What To Look For In A Used Audi
Look, not all used Audis are created equal. Here’s how to spot a great model from a lemon…
Target these reliable models first:
- 2013 Audi A5 (86/100 reliability rating)
- 2015 Audi Q3 (85/100 reliability rating)
- 2017 Audi Q5 (82/100 reliability rating)
- 2018 Audi A4 (85/100 reliability rating with zero recalls)
Seek out these features in a used Audi:
- Complete service records available
- Lower mileage (try to stay under 80k miles)
- Single previous owner
- No accident history
- Remaining warranty coverage
The thing is Audi is a reliable luxury car when you buy used and owners properly maintain the vehicle. Keep on top of scheduled maintenance Audi’s reliability really shines.
Final Thoughts
Used Audis are one of the smartest buys you can make when it comes to luxury cars.
Drive German engineering, strong resale values, and reasonable maintenance costs. What’s not to like?
See the numbers for yourself: lower maintenance costs than BMW. Better value retention than nearly all luxury competitors. Technology that still feels like today.
Why pay full price for a new luxury car when you can get 90% of the experience for 60% of the cost?
Your bank account will thank you, and you’ll still drive one of the most respected luxury car brands on the road.
Refresh Date: August 30, 2025
