SuspensionHigh
Air spring and compressor failures
- Typically appears
- 60,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Raise and lower the ride height fully on the drive
- Typical repair
- Suspension refresh (per axle) · £250–£1,100
Is the 2018–2025 Audi Q8 reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
3.9/ 10
Buy with cautionOn our documented-fault scoring the Audi Q8 rates 3.9 out of 10 · buy with caution. We hold 8 known faults for it and 3 are rated high severity, so the risk is real but contained. The weak points cluster around engine, suspension and electrical. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Walk unless the history is spotless
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 0
- High
- 3
- Medium
- 5
- Low
- 0
Weak points cluster around engine, suspension, electrical, brakes.
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Check this carThe faults that decide it
Cooling SystemHigh
Unexplained coolant loss, sweet smell from the engine bay, or crusty pink residue deep in the engine V on V6 TDI models.
- Typically appears
- 50,000-70,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Shine a torch down the centre of the engine block under the acoustic cover looking for pooled pink fluid or dried crystalline deposits from a leaking EGR cooler.
- Typical repair
- EGR valve / cooler replacement · £300–£900
EngineHigh
High-pitched whistling sound at idle, rough running, and excessive crankcase vacuum on the 4.0 TFSI V8 (SQ8/RSQ8) models.
- Typically appears
- 40,000-60,000 miles
- What to inspect
- With the engine idling, attempt to unscrew and lift the oil filler cap. If it requires significant force to pull off against vacuum, the PCV valve has failed.
- Typical repair
- Lighting unit replacement · £120–£900
ElectricalMedium
48V mild hybrid and battery management warnings
- Typically appears
- 50,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Scan for stored faults and check start stop behaviour
- Typical repair
- Routine repair · £180–£700
BrakesMedium
Heavy front disc and pad wear from kerb weight
- Typically appears
- 30,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Inspect disc lips and pad thickness through the wheels
- Typical repair
- Brakes (discs, pads, caliper) · £200–£800
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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