How Long Do Audi Q7 Last?

The German vehicle manufacturer Audi did a great job creating the full-sized luxury Sports Utility Vehicle, the Audi Q7.

The car would not stay this way forever, as in 2015, it went from full-sized to mid-sized, which sparked a debate about whether the car could retain its quality.

The biggest question on people’s minds was how long do Audi Q7 last, and the answer to this question isn’t too great as the Audi Q7 will only provide a maximum of 200,000 miles which is quite low in general regardless of its body class.

With many of its competitors seemingly lasting longer than it, it is time for me to talk about everything related to the Audi Q7 and see exactly how long the vehicle can last.

In this guide, I will confirm just how long the car can truly last, how it does when compared to its competition, and talk about any further questions you may have on the vehicle, so make sure you stick around till the end.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of An Audi Q7?

You should expect an average of 175,000 miles from the Audi Q7.

Since you can only get a maximum of 200,000 miles with the Audi Q7, which automatically translates to around 13 years of service, owners of this vehicle will most probably not reach this level, at least not consistently.

More often than not, you will fall between 150,000 to 200,000 miles which is not a lot as, at a minimum, you will get ten years of service.

However, many different factors determine how long the Audi Q7 can last, which is why I will try my best to highlight all of them and include them in my assessment to see the reliability and longevity of the Audi Q7.

Does Audi Q7 Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

With such a low mileage range, you would think that the Audi Q7 would not stand a chance against its competition.

Still, according to various sources, the Audi Q7 is quite reliable and gives many competitors a run for their money.

How can this be possible with such a short lifespan? Is the Audi Q7 just that special, or is its competition not that tough?

These are the question I will try to answer as I take 3 of the most prominent and well-known competitors of the Audi Q7 and directly compare them and the factors which affect their lifespan.

This will help you see how long the Audi Q7 can last against the competition.

1. Audi Q7 Vs. INFINITI QX60

The first car I will compare to the Audi Q7 is the Infiniti QX60, a recent SUV lineup compared to the Audi Q7 but one with much more popularity.

• While both vehicles can easily make it to the top 10 of any list, the Audi Q7 ranks at the lower end, while the Infiniti QX60 is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
• This is probably due to the short durability of the Audi Q7, which only reaches 200,000 miles, while the Infiniti QX60 can go well over 300,000 miles.
• Both the Audi Q7 and the Infinity QX60 have similar issues and concerns in most f their models, with only 1 model being even slightly problematic.
• The Audi Q7, being a German car, is much more expensive to repair than the Infiniti QX60, which is surprisingly cheaper than the average vehicle, which is something you would not expect from a luxury full-sized Sports Utility Vehicle.

It is quite evident that this comparison is strictly against the Audi Q7 and in favor of the Infinity QX60, which outclasses and surpasses the Audi Q7 in all regards or at least comes close.

Related: How Many Miles Will An Infiniti QX60 Last?

2. Audi Q7 Vs. Lincoln Navigator

The next SUV to go against the Audi Q7 is the Lincoln Navigator, a much older lineup that has had a lot of time to establish itself in the position it is now in.

• Despite having similar reliability scores as the Audi Q7, the Lincoln Navigator beats the Audi Q7 in most sources but only be a few positions.
• Seeing how both vehicles are close in reliability, it makes sense that the Audi Q7 and the Lincoln Navigator have the same lifespan.
• Compared to the Audi Q7, the Lincoln Navigator has slightly more issues in a few of its models, but overall they are quite similar.
• While both of these cars are quite expensive to maintain, the Audi Q7 is $100 more expensive than the Lincoln Navigator on a per-year basis.

This was quite a close comparison between the two vehicles, but when it boils down to it, the Lincoln Navigator is slightly better than the Audi Q7.

3. Audi Q7 Vs. Cadillac Escalade

The final SUV that I will compare against the Audi Q7 is the Cadillac Escalade, an SUV that has seen many different models and trims over the years.

• This comparison is quite similar to the one above, considering both the Audi Q7 and the Cadillac Escalade have the same ratings, but the Cadillac Escalade manages to pull one over the Audi Q7.
• Following the same trend, the Audi Q7 and the Cadillac Escalade both can reach 200k miles.
• Like the previous comparison, the Audi Q7 has slightly fewer issues when compared to the Cadillac Escalade, which also has a lot of problems overall.
• Once again, similar to the last comparison, the Audi Q7 is much more expensive to maintain and repair than the Cadillac Escalade on an annual basis.

Overall, this was also a very close comparison but yielded similar results, which side against the Audi Q7 and lean in favor of the Cadillac Escalade.

Related: How Many Miles Will A Cadillac Escalade Last?

Life Expectancy Of Audi Q7 Car Parts

While the Audi Q7 could not beat the opponents, I selected it for the comparisons.

It did manage to put up a good fight. This is especially noteworthy considering the relatively small lifespan.

A way owners of the car can increase the lifespan is by making sure that all the car components are in proper working condition.

This will increase the vehicle’s performance and allow for much more service.

Let’s now discuss all the different parts of the Audi Q7 and see how long you can expect them to last.

I will also mention ways you can treat these components to boost their efficiency and lifespan, so do read carefully.

Average Lifespan Of Audi Q7 Brake Pads

If you thought that, just like the car itself, its components would have a low lifespan, then you will be delighted to see that the Audi Q7 has quite long-lasting components.

Starting with the brake pads, which can easily last 50,000 miles on average, is quite competitive with other cars available in the market.

The brake pads can further go on to last till 70,000 miles if you make sure that you avoid overloading your vehicle and that the pads avoid general excess wear and tear, which means less hard and sudden brakes.

Average Lifespan Of Audi Q7 Battery

Similar to the previous component, the battery of the Audi Q7 can last just as long as the batteries of other cars, averaging around four years of service.

This can further be increased to 5 years depending on how well you take care of the battery, but with improper usage, you can also shorten it down to 3 years or less.

To prevent this from happening, you should keep the car’s battery constantly charged by taking it out for long rides, at least 2 to 3 times a week.

You should avoid storing the car for long periods and protect it from serious weather conditions.

Average Lifespan Of Audi Q7 Tires

If you take care of not wearing out the tires too quickly, then the tires of the Audi Q7 can last up to 60,000 miles which is around four years.

How quickly you wear out the tires depends mostly on your driving style and the road conditions.

First off, you should avoid rugged terrain and bumpy roads as they will be the first to wear out your tires.

As a result, you should avoid off-roading entirely. Frequent brakes should also be avoided, and similarly, for the brake pads, you should take care not to brake too suddenly.

Apart from this, regular maintenance of the tires is also paramount.

Every year or two, you should visit the mechanic and have the tires rotated, re-pressurized, and realigned so that any uneven wear is properly distributed in the tire, causing it to last longer.

Average Lifespan Of Audi Q7 Transmission

It would be surprising if the transmission of the Audi Q7 could not last as long as the vehicle itself as, in the case of most cars, the transmission will start to give out near the end of the car’s lifespan.

Luckily, this is also the case for the Audi Q7, whose transmission will last up to 200,000 miles, the same as the vehicle itself.

This might be cutting it a bit close, though, as more often than not, the transmission will be just shy of 200,000 miles, so you should take care of the transmission so that it lasts till the very end of its lifespan.

This can be done by regularly checking and adding transmission fluid to avoid overheating the transmission.

Apart from this, you should also make sure that you shift properly so that the transmission of the Audi Q7 does not get damaged.

Average Lifespan Of Audi Q7 Spark Plugs

While not lasting as long as other spark plugs on the market, the ones being used by the Audi Q7 will have to be replaced just over 50,000 miles and must be done every time.

This means that you will have to replace the car’s spark plugs at least four times during your entire ownership of the Audi Q7.

This is quite a hassle, and it would be better to try and extend the lifespan of the vehicle so that it can last a bit longer.

This can be done by making sure that the terminals are always clean. You can do this by blowing pressurized air on the spark plugs to properly clean them out.

The life of the spark plugs also depends on how well you take care of the engine as well so you should practice good habits which will boost the performance of the engine as well, which will, in turn, increase the spark plug’s lifespan.

Average Lifespan Of Audi Q7 Key Fob

Key fobs are simple and easy-to-use devices that can generally last as long as four years. This remains true for the Audi Q7, which is as simple as it gets.

The only thing you will have to worry about is the lifespan of the battery, which you can easily replace without much hassle.

If you want to improve the battery life and make sure the key fob itself lasts much longer, then you should avoid any sort of button mashing or button spamming as it will reduce the battery of the key fob and eventually damage or degrade the buttons.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Audi Q7?

Considering that the Audi Q7 lasts for a very short while, you should try your best to get the vehicle the lowest mileage possible.

This will allow you to get the most service out of the Audi Q7 and avoid the myriad of issues cars tend to develop at the end of their life.

Overall, I would recommend you purchase the vehicle at around 50,000 miles or lower.

The most you should stretch this up is to 80,000 miles and only extend to 100,000 if you are getting an especially good deal.

Otherwise, you should stick to the 50,000-mile range and get an Audi Q7 for the least possible mileage, especially if you want to avoid sudden issues and problems from previous ownership.

How To Increase How Long Your Audi Q7 Last

Seeing as though the Audi Q7 does not have a lot of issues and I have already started various different tips regarding how to better take care of the vehicle, your Audi Q7 should already be functioning at peak condition, and no doubt have a long life ahead of it.

Despite this, there are still more ways you can further increase the life of the Audi Q7, and I will tell you those here.

• Regular engine servicing and maintenance.
• Frequent checking of fluids of the car.
• Consistent cleaning of the car.
• Adopting a slower driving style.
• Immediately going to the mechanic in case of an issue.

If you make sure to incorporate these activities into the maintenance of your Audi Q7, I am sure that it will be able to last much longer than it would have otherwise.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Audi Q7

Even in the worst models of the lineup, the Audi Q7 manages to retain a lot of its integrity by putting out a reliable and durable vehicle that has little to no issues.

Despite having more than 15 years of models, the Audi Q7 does not have a lot of problems in any of its models, which is why a lot of people recommend this car, and as long as you are not misusing the car, you should not develop any issues at all.

Regardless, here are the potential problems that you can deal with if you own an Audi Q7.

• Catastrophic engine failure.
• Premature tire wear.
• Electrical issues.
• Rusting brake rotors.
• Loss of steering control.
• Stalling.
• Engine rattling.

These are the most significant problems that you can develop when owning an Audi Q7, but you should not worry as most of these problems are few and far between, and as long as you follow the teachings of this article, you will never have to worry about them ever.

What To Look For When Buying An Audi Q7

With so many different models to choose from, there is a lot of variety when in the market for an Audi Q7.

This one has a good reputation, making it easy for you to purchase any model from the entire lineup.

You should still try and look for certain features and quirks that will further improve the driving experience of the car or the performance entirely.

Here are a few of these features you should definitely look for.

• Turbocharged engine.
• Configurable instrument panel.
• Redesigned model, 2017 and up.
• Rear seat entertainment system.
• Diesel versions.
• 7 seats.

These are absolutely some of the most significant features in the model, and you should definitely look for them when in the market to purchase an Audi Q7.

Related: Best And Worst Years For Audi Q7

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Audi Q7 A Reliable Car?

While it may not have the best lifespan, the Audi Q7 is generally a very reliable vehicle that has made it to the top 10 of multiple lists and reports.

It faces little to no issues, and while it may be expensive to repair, the German engineering used to build this vehicle promises a lot of reliability and comfortable driving, which is sure to keep you happy.

Many owners of the Audi Q7 have praised the vehicle for its reliability, all while it was one of the best-performing SUVs of 2021, which says a lot about the car.

Q2. Does Audi Q7 Have A Lot Of Problems?

Since its release in 2006, the Audi Q7 has had a few issues in various models throughout the years but has by no means a lot of problems.

For the most part, the Audi Q7 has remained dependable and reliable and only displayed minor issues.

The most common problem you can expect from the Audi Q7 is engine failure and the engine not turning over, along with a few brake-related issues.

However, even these common issues are quite rare in the Audi Q7. Most models do not receive a lot of complaints either, which further supports this.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Audi Q7?

While there may be a few issues when buying a used Audi Q7 considering its relatively low lifespan, overall, the car has proven itself to be a very reliable and durable vehicle which is why I would say that it is a good idea to get the vehicle in a used condition.

However, you should make sure that the car is in good, working condition and has less mileage so that you can avoid any problems springing up which might reduce the lifespan of the car.

Q4. Does Audi Q7 Rust Easily?

The German company, Audi, has developed a good reputation for creating high-quality cars that have a lot of durability and longevity, and while the Audi Q7 may not last as long as other vehicles on the market, it is well resistant to rust and corrosion.

The Audi Q7 has made a lot of owners happy in this regard that have been driving the car since day one, and it still has little to no rust.

While some owners have had issues with the steel starting to rust, this is a rare issue and should not happen with proper care.

Q5. Is Audi Q7 Expensive To Maintain?

If you were in the mindset of getting a full-sized luxury Sports Utility Vehicle and thinking that it would be cheap to repair, then unfortunately for you, this is not the case.

This class of cars is already extremely expensive to maintain and repair on a yearly basis, with even the cheaper cars being much $200 more than the average vehicle.

The Audi Q7 is probably the most expensive of the bunch, having an annual cost of more than $1,180 for repairs and maintenance.

It is by no means a cheap car to own, and this is something to consider before purchasing.

Conclusion

If you were expecting a good answer to how long do Audi Q7 last, then, unfortunately, it is no secret that full sized SUVs generally do not last long as you’d think, and this is quite the case for the Audi Q7, which can only a maximum of 13 years.

Despite this short lifespan, you should rest easy knowing that you have a great vehicle that has displayed little to no problems in almost all of its models and can provide you with a comfortable driving experience for the time that you can drive it.

Just make sure to follow the tips discussed in the article.