Used Audi R8 2015-present reliability
Category: Sports car
If you're after an accomplished and thrilling supercar a used Audi R8 could be just the ticket
What should I look for in a used Audi R8 coupe?
Sports cars like the Audi R8 often use high-end materials and technology in the pursuit of creating the ultimate car, but it’ll all still wear out like any other vehicle, and replacement parts are very expensive indeed. So, when you have your heart set on a car, consider getting it professionally inspected to identify any potentially expensive repair work.
There are a few checks you can do yourself, though. Take a look at the tyres to not only see how much tread they have left but also whether there's a lot of wear on the edges, because that could mean that the suspension alignment is off.
Make sure there isn’t a lip on the brake discs, either, because this will mean you’ll need new brake discs and quite possibly pads, too, which will cost thousands, rather than the hundreds it will on the likes of an Audi A3.
What are the most common problems with a used Audi R8 coupe?
Oil leak
Some R8s built between 1 October 2015 and 30 November 2017 could leak oil from the gearbox if driven hard on a track. This may result in just a little bit of smoke coming from the engine area as the oil burns off, but an engine fire can't be ruled out if enough oil leaks out. Speak with an Audi dealer if you think your car might be affected by this to find out whether it still needs remedial work to be carried out.
Is a used Audi R8 coupe reliable?
The R8 didn't feature in our most recent reliability survey, but its smaller sibling, the TT, did.
Our data suggests the Audi TT is a very reliable car. It performed well in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, ranking first out of 15 cars in the coupés, convertibles and sports car class. Its reliability score was 98.4%. This proves it's more reliable than rivals like the Porsche Boxster and Jaguar F-Type.
A mere 7% of the TTs reported on had any issues – all relating to the air-con system – and all of those were resolved at no cost to owners. All the faulty cars could still be driven, and only the fact that niggles took up to a week to repair took some of the gloss from the ownership experience.
As a brand, Audi finished 26th out of 32 manufacturers.
If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
