Is an Audi Extended Warranty Worth Buying?

Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.

Any plans offered by CARCHEX are not extended warranties, but are often referred to by consumers as such. CARCHEX vehicle service contracts (also called “protection plans”) operate similarly to extended warranties and provide repair coverage for mechanical breakdowns after factory warranties expire.

Audi factory warranty coverage only lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles past the car’s in-service date, so many drivers continue vehicle protection with an Audi extended warranty. This guide will look at what’s covered by Audi’s extended coverage plans and how much it costs.

We at CARCHEX recommend looking for options that are affordable, offer standout protection, and come with a commitment to quality service. That way, you’ll find one of the best vehicle protection plans that allows your vehicle to stay on the road for years to come.

Audi offers three tiers of extended coverage through its Vehicle Service Protection (VSP) plans. The Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain plan choices from Audi provide up to 10 years/120,000 miles of coverage.

Below, we’ll explain the coverage differences that come with each Audi Pure Protection extended VSP plan. Remember that it’s smart to compare these options with coverage from independent auto protection plan providers such as CARCHEX.

Audi Platinum Plan

The most complete Audi extended protection plan is the Platinum VSP, which is comparable to a manufacturer warranty. It offers exclusionary coverage, so only specifically mentioned parts are left out of Audi’s coverage. However, you’ll still need to pay for maintenance components such as spark plugs, brake pads, and windshield wiper blades.

Audi Gold Plan

The Gold VSP plan covers your entire powertrain along with the front and rear suspension, climate control, fuel, and electric components. Many parts for hybrid and electric vehicles are also included in coverage, though not every part is eligible. You’ll lose coverage for the steering system, brakes, CV boots, navigation, audio, and high-tech features compared to Platinum.

Audi Powertrain Plan

You’ll receive basic protection for your car’s engine, transmission, drive axle, and hybrid and electric parts with Audi’s Powertrain VSP plan. While it’s the least comprehensive plan, it’s the most affordable one.

Comparison of Audi Extended Warranty Plans

Below is a table comparing the three Audi extended vehicle service protection plans offered by the automaker. While the Platinum VSP is far more extensive than the Gold or Powertrain offerings, it also comes with a higher price tag.

Remember that coverage details for Quattro models may not always apply to a typical Audi A4. Read your owner’s manual or reach out to an Audi dealer to learn specifics about your extended vehicle protection coverage.

It’s smart to weigh Audi extended VSP options from the brand itself, but make sure not to overlook offerings from companies like CARCHEX. Oftentimes, drivers find cheaper and more extensive choices from third-party manufacturers than from Audi itself.

Audi Extended Warranty Additional Coverage

The Audi extended VSP can be expanded by including the following coverage add-ons:

• Term protection
• Tire and wheel protection
• Dent protection
• Windshield protection
• Key protection
• Lease-end protection
• Guaranteed asset protection (GAP)
• Theft protection
• Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) service protection

While these coverage plans are entirely optional, many drivers gain complete peace of mind by knowing that their Audi will be safe for years to come.

All new cars from Audi come with a 4-year/50,000-mile factory warranty. You’ll receive protection for most vehicle components during this period, but could end up with significant repair costs if coverage on your new Audi isn’t extended.

Additional pieces of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty from Audi include the following:

• 12-year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty
• 4-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance services

Note that Audi’s powertrain warranty only lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles. This is shorter than other automakers and may leave your vehicle vulnerable to potentially costly car repairs. Motorists who’d prefer to avoid the hassle of mechanical breakdowns should look at picking up coverage from CARCHEX, Audi, or another reputable auto warranty provider.

The Audi certified pre-owned warranty offers 2 years/50,000 miles of coverage for your used car. That’s not very long, so it may be smart to consider used car vehicle service contracts from either the automaker or from CARCHEX.

Motorists can expect to gain multiple coverage perks with an Audi extended protection plan, but also a few exclusions. We’ll quickly run through a few benefits and limitations of Audi’s coverage.

Audi Extended Warranty Benefits

Expect your Audi extended protection plan to come with the perks listed below. There’s no need to purchase coverage beyond your plan to gain access to the following:

• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Towing coverage
• Rental car reimbursement
• Trip interruption coverage
• Cancelable for full refund within 30 days
• Deductibles of $0, $100, $100 disappearing, and $250

While these benefits are nice to have, drivers often gain similar perks when they choose CARCHEX. Many motorists gain access to them at lower overall prices too.

Audi Extended Warranty Exclusions

As with most extended coverage options, Audi’s VSP plans leave some parts and situations out of coverage. We’ve outlined some of the most important ones here:

• Wear-and-tear parts like brake pads and spark plugs
• Maintenance services such as oil changes and tire rotations
• Damages due to collisions, the environment, theft, and vandalism
• Body panels, trim, and upholstery
• Issues caused by lack of upkeep or improper modifications

Many wear-and-tear parts and maintenance services turn into covered repairs with additional Audi extended protection plan coverage, but basic plans exclude them. Remember also that Audi’s coverage won’t cover problems caused by accidents, as plans are specifically intended for repairs after mechanical breakdowns.

Many motorists find that third-party vehicle protection companies such as CARCHEX offer benefits and lower costs than Audi itself. You’ll gain the following upsides when you opt for extended coverage from CARCHEX:

• Cheaper average costs: Drivers typically save considerable money when they choose a plan from CARCHEX. This is especially true of luxury car brands such as Audi, which often charge higher-than-average rates for extended coverage.
• Stronger contracts: Audi extended warranty plans last for up to 10 years/120,000 miles. Vehicle service contracts from CARCHEX can reach a full 10 years/250,000 miles.
• Wide-ranging coverage options: The Audi extended VSP has multiple options, but CARCHEX does as well. You’ll be able to pick one of five plans that extend from basic powertrain coverage to high-level coverage.
• Flexible repair shop choices: You’ll need to have your car serviced at an Audi dealership if you choose one of the automaker’s plans. Meanwhile, CARCHEX lets you have your vehicle repaired at any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®).
• More time to choose: You’ll generally need to buy your extended protection plan from Audi right when you buy your vehicle. With CARCHEX, you can purchase extended coverage at nearly any point in your car’s life.

Remember that independent protection plans for your Audi may not come with genuine Audi parts or factory-certified technicians. If these two details are important to you, it may be better to stick with the automaker’s plans even if they’re pricier.

It’s best to do some research on reliability scores before picking up an Audi extended vehicle protection plan. That way, you’ll be able to find out how likely potential repairs are and how much they could cost without extended coverage. It’s critical that you factor in your own financial situation as well.

Audi Reliability Scores

Audi is known for its luxury vehicles, but it’s less regarded for the dependability of its cars. RepairPal gives Audi 3.0 out of 5.0 stars for its reliability, ranking it 28th out of 32 brands overall.

Similarly, the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠, which measures how many issues drivers face after three years of vehicle ownership, ranked Audi 28th out of 29 auto brands in its study. RepairPal pegs the annual repair cost for an Audi at $987, far higher than the industry average of $652 per year.

Common Audi Repair Costs

Below are some common repairs performed on Audi models and how much they typically cost. All numbers listed in the table come from RepairPal.

Though Audi owners may value the brand’s luxury experience, they likely won’t appreciate the cost of repairing their vehicle. That’s where coverage from reputable vehicle service contract providers like CARCHEX can help to reduce costs.