Audi A4 saloon (2011-2015) - Reliability & safety

A steady decline in customer satisfaction highlights the Audi A4’s age

Carbuyer Rating

3.9 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

3.8 out of 5

The Audi A4’s customer satisfaction has dropped as the model has aged and started to come up against newer rivals. Safety has also fallen behind key rivals that have been tested under tougher conditions. The A4 can be fitted with the latest safety kit, though.

Reliability

The Audi A4 has dropped down the rankings in our Driver Power owner satisfaction survey over the past few years. In 2011, it came 36th out of 150 cars, but in 2012 it dropped to 60th place and in 2013 it slipped further to 76th position. This gradual decline looks set to continue, as in our 2014 survey, owners ranked it 80th out of 150 cars. It still faired well for in-car technology, coming 28th out of 150 models, but other areas are looking a little shaky – it finished 110th for reliability and 123rd for ease of driving. Yet the A4 still feels like a well built, high-quality product.

Safety

The Audi A4 scored five stars when it was tested for safety by Euro NCAP in 2009, but the 2014 crash test (which the Mercedes C-Class passed with flying colours) is tougher. However, all Audi A4s come with two ISOFIX child-seat mounts in the back, a system that advises the driver when to take a break, traction control, electronic stability control and six airbags.

Optional safety features include Audi Active Lane Assist (£370), which uses gentle steering inputs to keep the A4 in lane, as well as rear side airbags (£255). Audi Side Assist further bolsters safety, by warning of approaching vehicles in your blind spot. This is a useful feature if you clock up a lot of motorway miles.

Adaptive cruise control is another feature we’d recommend for motorway use. It's not cheap at £900, but it can match the speed of the car in front automatically, before returning to a preset cruising speed once the road ahead is clear.

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Most Popular

New 2024 Porsche Panamera – new looks, interior, and Turbo E-Hybrid model
2024 Porsche Panamera front-quarter static view
News
24 Nov 2023

New 2024 Porsche Panamera – new looks, interior, and Turbo E-Hybrid model

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
24 Nov 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Toyota Yaris Cross updated for 2024 – new tech, trim and hybrid option
Toyota Yaris Cross static front-quarter view
News
22 Nov 2023

Toyota Yaris Cross updated for 2024 – new tech, trim and hybrid option

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023