# Audi A4 2009–2016 Pre-Purchase Checklist | CarCaseFile

Canonical: https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/audi-a4-2009-2016/checklist/

> Printable pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2009–2016 Audi A4: the generation-specific checks that separate a good one from someone else's problem.

Case file · AUDI-A4-2009-2016 · Field document

# Audi A4 2009–2016 · Pre-purchase checklist

Bring this to the inspection. Every check below is specific to this generation's documented failure modes, not generic used-car advice.

[← Full case file](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/audi-a4-2009-2016/)

Check 01

Check the oil level and condition cold, and ask the seller how often they top off. Early 2.0T cars burning a quart every 1,000–1,500 miles is the classic ring/PCV symptom.

Check 02

Listen for a rattle on cold start-up, especially the first second or two. That's the timing-chain-tensioner tell. Ask for proof the updated tensioner was installed.

Check 03

Pull service records and look for the oil-consumption repair (PCV breather and/or piston rings) on 2009–2012 cars; a documented fix is a green flag, not a red one.

Check 04

Confirm drivetrain: prefer quattro with the conventional automatic over a FWD Multitronic CVT, which is the costliest transmission to fix.

Check 05

Watch for coolant loss, a sweet smell, or low-coolant warnings. The plastic water pump and thermostat housing are known leak points.

Check 06

Expect some rough idle / hesitation from direct-injection carbon buildup on higher-mileage cars; factor a walnut-blast cleaning into your budget.

Check 07

Scan for stored codes before buying. High-pressure fuel pump, ignition coils, and PCV faults are common, and a clean scan tells you a lot.

Check 08

Check that all electronics work (MMI, windows, sensors); electrical niggles are common and annoying on these.

Walk-away signals

2009–2011.5 (CAEB oil consumption + early timing-chain tensioner) · FWD Multitronic CVT cars (any year) without service history

CarCaseFile.com/vehicles/audi-a4-2009-2016/ · Independent case files on used cars · We buy our own parts. Nobody pays for a verdict.