Audi A6 Extended Warranty: Cost, Coverage and Plans

Audi A6 extended warranty coverage options

Purchasing a brand-new Audi from a dealership provides you with warranty coverage that lasts up to 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Audi’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes protection that covers the vehicle’s powertrain, suspension and electrical system, along with 4 years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

If you’ve purchased a certified pre-owned Audi, you may qualify for a warranty that provides 1 year or 20,000 miles of additional limited coverage. This type of warranty typically covers only major components, such as the engine and transmission, on Audis with fewer than 60,000 miles and less than 5 years old.

Once these warranties expire, you will need to seek an extended warranty if you’d like to continue coverage for your vehicle. There are two main types of extended warranties available to Audi owners: Audi’s Pure Protection plan, an Audi extended warranty which offers three coverage levels, and a third-party warranty.

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Audi Pure Protection plans explained

Pure Protection is Audi’s certified extended warranty program that offers coverage up to 10 years or 120,000 miles. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your Audi is serviced only at Audi dealerships with certified, OEM parts. When you sign up for Pure Protection, you’ll choose from three different service level offerings.

• Powertrain: The plan’s most affordable offering, this basic powertrain warranty only covers major drivetrain components (e.g., the engine and transmission).
• Gold: In addition to the drivetrain (everything covered by the Powertrain warranty), Gold level coverage includes electric and fuel systems, along with the car’s suspension and climate control elements.
• Platinum: Audi’s platinum-level extended warranty is the brand’s “bumper-to-bumper” warranty, which includes all electrical and mechanical systems and components. Since there are exclusions, examine this list carefully to fully understand your coverage.

Third-party warranty plans explained

For a more affordable extended warranty option for your Audi, consider a third-party warranty. This is a warranty offered by an independent company outside of the Audi brand. Aside from the potential cost savings, a third-party warranty offers more flexibility when choosing a service location for repairs and the option to use generic parts.

Minor drawbacks of a third-party warranty include lower claim payouts and wider variations in coverage details. So, it’s important to fully understand your warranty if you choose to sign up with a third party.

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Common warranty exclusions

All warranties come with exclusions, even bumper-to-bumper warranties. It’s important to read the fine print so you’re not unpleasantly surprised by an expensive repair bill on a part or system that’s not covered by your extended warranty. Below is a list of common exclusions in extended warranty coverage.

• Tires
• Routine service like oil changes, tire rotation, fluid flush and top off
• Brake pads and rotors
• Paint and upholstery
• Accidents or vandalism
• Preexisting issues

Audi A6 extended warranty cost factors

On average, you should expect to pay between $2,000 to about $4,000 for an extended warranty on your Audi. A limited third-party warranty may cost a bit less (from $600 to $1,000), while a brand-specific premium-level warranty falls on the high end of the price range.

When shopping around for the best warranty, consider how the following factors can impact warranty pricing:

• Coverage level: The more your extended warranty covers, the more you’ll pay.
• Current vehicle mileage: Vehicles with high mileage will ultimately face larger, more expensive repairs.
• Vehicle age at purchase: Along with high mileage, older vehicles will also face larger, and therefore pricier, repairs.
• Coverage term length: Longer coverage equates to a higher price.
• Deductible amount: Opting for a lower deductible (the price you pay out of pocket for each covered repair) means you’ll pay more for the warranty itself, and vice versa.
• Trim level and technology packages: Fancier features mean a higher price tag for repairs. You’ll pay more for extended warranties that cover advanced features.
• Geographic location: Extended warranties factor high cost of living into their pricing.
• Purchase timing relative to factory warranty: It’s cheaper to purchase an extended warranty while your car is still covered by the factory warranty. In fact, Audi’s Pure Protection warranties are only available for cars still under factory warranty.
• Dealer markup

Is an Audi extended warranty worth it?

Whether or not an extended warranty is worth purchasing for your Audi is a personal decision that takes into account your car’s condition, your financial situation and your risk tolerance. Note that Audi is generally considered above average for repair costs, especially if you choose Audi-certified parts for your vehicle.

Here, we’ll examine some of the most common and expensive Audi repairs you might face as the years pass. Knowing this information can help you decide whether an extended warranty is right for you and help you budget for future repairs if you opt to forgo one.

Common Audi A6 repair costs

Repairs to major parts such as the turbocharger or transmission can quickly become some of the most expensive fixes on the Audi A6.

Turbocharger

Under certain conditions, issues may arise with turbocharged engines after 60 to 80K miles. Turbochargers can be pricey to repair. Without warranty coverage, you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,000 for this repair.

Transmission

Even minor transmission repairs, like solenoid valve replacement, can be expensive on any car. On an Audi, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 for a basic transmission rebuild to more than $8,000 for a full replacement. A good extended warranty can offer significant financial protection in a case like this.

Pro tip

Oil starvation, foreign objects and poor driving damage turbochargers. Regular maintenance and good driving habits prolong the life of turbocharged engines.

Quattro components

Quattro is Audi’s trademark all-wheel drive system. The brand describes it as part of the Audi driving experience: ​​”Combining exceptional driving dynamics with extraordinary traction and efficiency, quattro creates a driving experience like no other.”

While an elevated driving experience is one of Audi’s most coveted features, it’s one you’ll pay for if a major repair becomes necessary. Currently, the average cost of a drivetrain repair is $1,100. Dealer pricing ranges between $4,000 and $8,000.

Who should buy an extended warranty

There are some cases where purchasing an extended warranty makes sound financial sense. If you put a lot of miles on your Audi, you’ll quickly approach a time when repairs will become necessary. Excessive mileage puts strain on your vehicle’s transmission and turbocharger.

Audi vehicles cost an average of $987 per year for repairs. This can and likely will increase with age, with most major failures occurring after the factory warranty expires. An extended warranty can help offset the repair costs common with an aging vehicle.

If you own an Audi with a high-end package that includes features like premium audio, navigation and driver-assistance technology, repair costs will be higher over time. Estimates indicate that an electronic issue could cost you between $1,000 and $3,000 per repair. Audi’s Gold or Platinum level extended warranty coverage is more likely to cover electrical issues.

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When to skip extended coverage

Purchasing an extended warranty for your Audi is a personal choice. There are a few situations where it might be wise to skip the extended warranty, saving you money in the long run.

• You don’t drive much: The average person drives more than 13,000 miles in a year. If you use your Audi significantly less than this, you may not face major repairs.
• You don’t plan to own your Audi long term: If you’re only planning to keep your Audi for a few years, it may not make sense to take out an extended warranty.
• You have money to cover repairs: If you’ve got an emergency fund that allows you to cover all but the most expensive maintenance costs, you can likely save on what you’d spend on extended coverage.

Audi A6 extended warranty buying tips

Before you commit to an extended warranty for your Audi vehicle, be sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what’s covered. Coverage plans can vary widely, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with your plan before you need a repair. Below, we’ve included a list of questions you may want to have answered:

• What specific components are covered and excluded?
• What is the deductible per repair visit?
• Can I choose my own repair facility or must I use authorized dealers?
• Is the warranty transferable if I sell the vehicle?
• What is the cancellation policy and refund structure?
• Are there any mileage or usage restrictions?
• How do I file a claim and what is the approval process?
• Does the warranty require regular maintenance records?
• What happens if the warranty company goes out of business?
• Are rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance included?

FAQ