2002 Audi A4 Sport review from UK and Ireland

Water ingress through bulkhead.

Injection pump at 11k (under warranty thank heavens!)

Window regulator and gear linkage at 15k. The central locking then went haywire which I still think was something the dealer did fixing the window.

Slight clutch judder noticeable at 18k. Got progressively worse until the dealer found a cracked flywheel and broken spring in the clutch. Warranty claim was over UKP 1400!

Power steering rack leaking at 26k.

Started pulling to left under braking - seized rear caliper.

Well finished, comfortable, surprisingly lively and exudes a certain "class".

Great cruiser, beautifully designed and executed interior, low noise levels (apart from the crude sounding grumble from the engine when accelerating) and astonishingly economical. Returned over 50 mpg on a run.

Sadly it was also easily the most unreliable car I've ever owned. Over UKP 2,500 in warranty claims in 2 years and 26,000 miles. The 130,000 mile Mondeo I had before was more dependable (if not as nice to drive) and had just one fault in all the time I had it (from 30k). To make matters worse, Audi dealers were very rude and I was made to feel that I was nitpicking when reporting faults.

Finally at breaking point, I sold the A4 last year and did what I should have done in the first place. Bought a BMW 320d which has so far been faultless and is a much sharper drive.

After years of reliable (but uninspiring) service from Fords, Vauxhalls and the like, the A4 was the car I always promised myself. It was bad enough that the car turned out to be rubbish, but to be treated with contempt by dealers was something even Ford didn't stoop to (theirs were merely indifferent.) Despite doing it "properly" and buying approved used (at barely less than an internet broker's "new" price), this car was a dream turned into a nightmare.

I won't be buying another Audi, or VAG group product come to that.