One of Audi's most reliable high-performance models, the RS7's 4.0 TFSI V8 and ZF 8-speed transmission are exceptionally robust when maintained correctly. Main concerns center on turbo oil screen clogging (recall issued), carbon buildup on intake valves requiring walnut blasting every 80,000-100,000 km, DRC suspension weeping shocks, and dual battery system failures. The "hot V" turbo placement requires strict 8,000 km oil change intervals to prevent oil coking. Cars with incomplete service history or early 2013-2014 models without documented PCV/turbo recall work should be approached with caution.
Oil inlet screen clogs, starving turbos of oil and causing bearing failure · more· less
The 4.0 TFSI has a known issue where the turbo oil inlet screens become clogged with carbon deposits, starving the turbos of oil. When this happens, turbocharger bearings fail and the turbos must be replaced. One dealer tech reported seeing at least 20 of these engines with the same problem in his area alone. Audi issued recall 21H7 (TSB-2044640) to replace the oil strainer with a larger mesh design, but the issue is not completely eliminated. Single turbo replacement costs €3,000-4,000; both turbos can exceed €8,000-12,000 at dealers. Aftermarket relocation kits (JHM, GMP) allow serviceable external screens. Prevention: strict 8,000 km oil change intervals with quality 5W-40 oil.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€800 - €2,500
Direct injection causes carbon deposits, requires walnut blasting every 80-100k km · more· less
The 4.0 TFSI has both direct and port injection, which significantly reduces carbon buildup compared to purely direct-injected engines. However, some carbon still accumulates on intake valves over time. Symptoms include rough idle, misfires, reduced power, and poor throttle response. Walnut blasting (mechanical cleaning with crushed walnut shells) is the most effective solution. Independent shops charge €800-1,200; dealers €1,500-2,500. The intake manifold must be removed (6-8 hours labor). Recommended every 80,000-100,000 km. The engine also has a sophisticated oil separator/PCV system that acts as a catch can, which helps minimize oil vapor entering the intake.
Dynamic Ride Control dampers leak hydraulic fluid, causing clunking over bumps · more· less
The DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) system connects shock absorbers diagonally through hydraulic circuits. Over time, shocks develop leaks, losing pressure (should be 15-20 bar). Symptoms include clunking/rattling over bumps (especially in comfort mode), sounding like "golf clubs rolling in the trunk." Weeping/misting is somewhat normal; wet leaks with pressure below 10 bar require replacement. When one shock fails, both linked shocks and the central control valve must be replaced to prevent valve damage. Dealer cost: €3,500-4,500. Independent specialists: €2,500-3,000. Air suspension models (non-DRC) have different but similar issues. Some owners have successfully negotiated Audi goodwill coverage.
Air suspension strut failure (if equipped)€2,000 - €3,500
Slow air leaks from struts, compressor failure, or electrical connection issues · more· less
Cars with adaptive air suspension (instead of DRC) can develop slow leaks over time, especially in humid climates. Symptoms include one corner sagging overnight, uneven ride height, or compressor running constantly. Not all failures require full strut replacement—check electrical connections first (cleaned connections: €95-180), then valve blocks (valve repair: €300-600). Full air strut replacement: €2,000-2,600 per axle at dealers. Aftermarket options like Arnott offer lifetime warranties at lower cost. Compressor failure alone costs €1,500-2,200. Before assuming major component failure, have proper diagnostics performed—many issues are electrical.
The oil separator sits beneath the supercharger on the 4.0 TFSI, making access difficult. When the membrane tears, symptoms include rough idle, burning oil on startup, engine stalling, check engine lights, and oil smell in the cabin. If the membrane fails completely, vacuum can suck oil from the crankcase into the intake manifold, accelerating carbon buildup on intake valves. The part costs €130-150, but labor is expensive due to poor accessibility (8-10 hours at dealers). Total dealer cost: €1,400-1,800. Independent specialists: €600-900. Audi extended the PCV warranty to 10 years/120,000 km on affected vehicles. Early 2013-2014 cars with no PCV service history should be approached cautiously.
Coolant system leaks (water pump/thermostat)€600 - €1,500
Electric water pump failure, thermostat housing leaks between 70-100k km · more· less
The 4.0 TFSI uses an electric water pump integrated with the thermostat housing. Common failure points include pump motor failure, thermostat housing gasket leaks, and coolant pipe O-rings. Symptoms: coolant warning light, engine overheating, poor cabin heating, visible coolant pooling. The integrated design means the entire assembly (water pump + thermostat) often needs replacement together. Part cost: €400-600. Labor: 4-6 hours due to accessibility in the V between cylinder banks. Total: €900-1,500 at dealers; €600-900 at independents. If doing this repair, also replace coolant pipes and hoses while accessible.
Dual battery system failure€300 - €500
Main or auxiliary battery degradation causes erratic electrical behavior and no-starts · more· less
The RS7 uses a dual battery system (main + auxiliary). When the auxiliary battery fails, it creates cascading electrical issues that are often misdiagnosed. Symptoms include starting difficulties, error messages on cluster, lights dimming at idle, MMI freezing, and battery drain after short trips. The auxiliary battery is frequently overlooked during diagnostics. Both batteries typically need replacement around 8-10 years. Main battery: €150-200. Auxiliary battery: €100-150. Installation + system calibration: €50-100 labor. Total for both batteries with programming: €300-500. After replacement, the battery management system must be reset using VCDS/ODIS. Some battery drain issues are caused by MMI not shutting down properly—update to latest MMI software version.
Engine/transmission mounts wear€700 - €1,800
Worn mounts cause vibration, clunking when shifting, and wiring damage from movement · more· less
Failed engine or transmission mounts create noise, harshness, and vibration that transfer to the cabin. Symptoms include clunking when shifting into drive/reverse, vibration at idle, excessive engine movement, and rattling over bumps. Broken mounts can damage nearby wiring and sensors from excessive movement. Factory mounts have large voids in the rubber that allow too much movement under load. Replacement cost: €1,500-1,800 at dealers for both engine and transmission mounts; €700-1,000 at independents. Aftermarket options like 034Motorsport Street Density mounts (€400-600) offer improved durability with minimal NVH increase. Check mounts during pre-purchase inspection, especially on tuned cars.
Brake wear (standard or ceramic)€1,000 - €10,000
High brake wear due to vehicle weight; ceramic brakes extremely expensive to replace · more· less
The RS7 weighs over 2,000 kg, causing significant brake wear. Standard steel brakes typically need replacement every 30,000-50,000 km depending on driving style. Steel brake cost: €800-1,200 front, €400-600 rear at independents; dealers charge €1,500-2,000 front, €800-1,000 rear. Carbon ceramic brakes (€9,000 factory option) are extremely durable—rotors last 150,000+ km, pads 50,000+ km—with minimal dust. However, ceramic rotor replacement costs €4,000+ per rotor, €16,000+ for complete set. Many owners downgrade to standard S6/S7 steel brakes (€400-600 total parts) when ceramics eventually wear. Aftermarket 2-piece rotors from companies like VagBremTechnic offer better value for spirited driving.
Reliable for a performance car, but maintenance is critical
The RS7 C7 is widely considered one of Audi's most reliable performance models, with the 4.0 TFSI V8 and ZF 8-speed transmission capable of exceeding 150,000 miles when properly maintained. The key is strict adherence to service intervals—particularly 8,000 km oil changes to prevent turbo oil coking. Owners who skip maintenance or buy cars with incomplete service history often face expensive turbo and PCV repairs. The air suspension and DRC systems are the main weak points. Overall, significantly more reliable than BMW M5 F10 or Mercedes E63 W212 equivalents.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Complete service history
Verify all oil changes at 8,000-10,000 km intervals with correct 5W-40 VW 502.00 specification oil. Missing service records are a red flag.
Cold start inspection
Engine must be completely cold. Listen for any unusual sounds, rattles, or smoke during first 30 seconds. Turbo issues often only show when cold.
Extended test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds, full-throttle acceleration, and varied road conditions. Check all driving modes.
Diagnostic scan
Full VCDS/ODIS scan of all control modules. Check for stored fault codes, pending codes, and freeze frame data.
Tire condition
Check tread depth (legal minimum 1.6mm), age (max 6 years), and uneven wear patterns indicating suspension issues.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify turbo oil screen recall (21H7) completed
Contact Audi dealer with VIN to confirm TSB-2044640 turbo oil strainer recall was performed. This is critical—uncorrected cars are at high risk of turbo failure.
Check for turbo whine, smoke, or excessive oil consumption
Any turbo noise (whining, whistling), blue/black exhaust smoke, or oil consumption over 1L per 2,000 km indicates turbo wear. Turbos sit in "hot V" and are prone to oil coking if service intervals were extended.
Inspect DRC/air suspension for leaks and operation
Check all four shock absorbers for oil weeping/leaking. Cycle through all suspension modes (comfort, auto, dynamic). Listen for clunking over bumps. Measure ride height—should be even on all corners.
Test dual battery system voltage
Main battery should read 12.6V+ when off, 14V+ when running. Test auxiliary battery separately. Look for any electrical error messages, especially after short trips.
Check for carbon buildup symptoms
Rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, or misfires can indicate carbon deposits on intake valves. Ask if/when walnut blasting was performed (recommended every 80-100k km).
Verify PCV valve replacement history
Early 2013-2014 cars should have documentation of PCV/oil separator replacement. Check for oil smell in cabin, rough idle, or oil consumption as failure symptoms.
Inspect coolant system for leaks
Check coolant level and condition (should be pink/red, not brown). Look for leaks around water pump area, thermostat housing, and coolant pipes in the V of the engine.
Examine brake condition and type
Determine if car has standard steel or carbon ceramic brakes. Check pad thickness and rotor condition. Ceramic brakes have yellow calipers; replacement is extremely expensive.
Check engine/transmission mounts
With engine running, have helper shift between Park/Drive/Reverse while you watch engine movement. Excessive movement or clunking indicates worn mounts.
Avoid heavily tuned cars without documentation
If car has aftermarket tune (APR, GIAC, etc.), verify supporting modifications (intercooler upgrade, oil cooler) are present. Check for signs of track use, launch control abuse, or repeated hard use.
Turbocharger coolant line O-rings (recall 21F2)Verify completed
PCV valve extended warranty (10 yr/120k km)May still be covered
Turbocharger extended warranty (10 yr/120k km)May still be covered
Critical: Verify turbo oil strainer recall
Audi recall 21H7 (TSB-2044640) addresses turbo oil screen clogging that can cause complete turbo failure. This recall affects 2013-2017 RS7 models built between July 25, 2013 and March 30, 2017. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2022. Contact Audi customer service (varies by country) with the VIN to verify completion. This is the single most important recall to confirm before purchase.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (4 years/80,000 km)Expired on all C7 RS7s
Extended PCV warranty (10 yr/120k km)Check eligibility with VIN
Extended turbo warranty (10 yr/120k km)Check eligibility with VIN
Audi Pure Protection extended warranty€2,500-7,000 (if eligible)
All C7 RS7 models (2013-2018) are outside their original 4-year factory warranty. Audi extended PCV valve and turbocharger warranties to 10 years/120,000 km on affected vehicles—contact dealer with VIN to check eligibility. Audi Pure Protection extended warranties may still be available on newer examples within 4 years/80,000 km, offering Powertrain, Gold, or Platinum coverage up to 10 years/190,000 km total. Third-party warranties are also available but read exclusions carefully regarding performance modifications.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.