Audi Vs Mercedes Reliability: A Detailed Comparison
When it comes to luxury cars, Audi and Mercedes are often at the top of the list, but how do they stack up in terms of reliability?
This post isn’t just another brand comparison; it’s a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of what makes a car reliable.
We’ll explore not only the typical lifespan of Audi and Mercedes vehicles but also investigate the types of repairs owners might encounter and the overall satisfaction drivers have with their cars.
By examining specific data points and real-world testimonials, this guide aims to provide a unique perspective on the reliability of Audi versus Mercedes, helping you decide which brand aligns best with your expectations for a dependable luxury vehicle.
Let’s get started.
Audi Vs. Mercedes: Compared
| Design | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Durability | ||
| Engine | ||
| Technology | ||
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Safety |
Which Is Better: Audi or Mercedes?
The truth is simple, Mercedes is better than Audi cars when it comes to reliability. With a Mercedes car, you achieve a better speed, engine strength, durability, cheaper cost of maintenance, and an outstanding definition of luxury.
This includes the Mercedes “Presafe” system that beats the safety system of most cars, although it is on the same level as Audi’s safety system.
According to Repairpal, Audi has a reliability rating of 3.0/5.0, ranking 28th out of 32 car brands. Mercedes Benz has a reliability rating of 3.0/5.0, ranking 27th out of 32 car brands. However, the JD Power survey says otherwise on the reliability of Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
Audi is rated the 15th most reliable car, while Mercedes comes 22nd. The dependability Survey recorded 136 problems in Audis, with 152 problems in Mercedes.
You must understand that the reliability comparison of Mercedes and Audi is a strong one, which goes beyond the overall features they offer, but their strength on different models.
Mercedes offers more reliable interior designs, but Audi does better with small SUVs, cars, and Sports cars. There are more reliable Mercedes cars on their large cars, Midsize, large SUVs, and midsize SUVs.
Design
The design philosophies of Audi and Mercedes cars are entirely different. While Mercedes aims to make a statement, Audi is concerned about High-end designs. Mercedes has better interior designs, but with Audi, you should expect high-end upholstery, nice grilles, curves, and beautiful tech-merged features.
Audis look beautiful on the outside, but Mercedes has a better interior design. However, the definition of a good design is subjective, and the driver decides this.
We noticed that Mercedes makes better designs on the small car level, but if you need a better definition of luxury and elegance, you should go for the Mercedes Saloons or bigger categories.
Winner: Both
Repair and Maintenance Cost
You must understand that Mercedes and Audi have high maintenance and repair costs, relatively higher than the $652 achievable on other car models. It is no surprise that it is costly to repair and maintain Audi and Mercedes cars. These cars are classified as luxury cars, and the cost of ownership is always premium.
It costs an annual average of $908 to maintain your Mercedes Benz, whereas it costs $987 to maintain an Audi car. This is also to cite that an Audi car gives you a 0.8 chance of visiting the repair shop for minor repairs and a 13% probability of major repairs, while Mercedes Benz gives a 0.7 chance of minor repairs and a 13% chance of major repairs.
What this means is that with a Mercedes Benz, you will visit the repair shop less compared to an Audi.
Winner: Mercedes Benz
Durability
Mercedes and Audi have deep German roots, and there are no doubts about the engineering strength of German cars.
Mercedes has a superior build quality and a wide category of models that can last long. Although both cars last as long the same, Mercedes has a more stable reputation when it comes to durability than Audi.
Audi cars can last up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles; some may even last over 200,000 miles, the same as Mercedes, as they last up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 10-13 years.
You must understand that in most states and countries, Mercedes Benz cars are used for taxis. Nobody uses a car as a taxi if they are not durable enough to give them fewer worries after a day’s ride.
The truth is that German cars are not the type of cars that we strongly recommend for Durability; Japanese cars are better.
Audi offers a slight advantage in durability and cost-effective options. Audi is made by Volkswagen, and the company uses similar platforms for most of its cars. This makes parts readily available, giving Audi users options to use varying platforms from a different car for their car.
Winner: Both
Engine and Performance
Between Audi and Mercedes, It is difficult to place one of these cars above the other. Audi rose to the limelight with the launch of sports cars, but there are no indications that their performance is better or more reliable than what is offered by Mercedes.
Audis are known for their driving characteristics and performance sports appeal, but this doesn’t make Mercedes any worse.
The engineering ideology of the Mercedes and Audi brand differs, so what is achievable from both brands is different. Audi focuses on optimizing AWD systems for its vehicles. This makes it easy for the cars to handle all weather conditions.
While Audi optimizes agile handling, Mercedes aims for comfort and an improved driving experience. The engines of Mercedes cars are strong, robust, and large. On the other hand, Audi focuses on making quiet engines.
When it comes to which is faster, Audi and Mercedes, the differences boil down to the different models offered by both brands. The Mercedes AMG A45 S is faster than the Audi R53, while the Audi R8 V10+ is faster than the Mercedes AMG GTR.
Winner: Both
Safety and Technology
With the loud echoes of Mercedes’s “Pre-safe” technology package, it is surprising to discover that Audi has higher safety ratings than Mercedes. Mercedes pioneered the development of crumple zones and forward collision avoidance systems in the Mercedes S-class sedan model.
Yet, no matter how refined Mercedes safety technologies and implementations seem, only four Mercedes cars are earning the 2021 IIHS safety rating, while there are 10 Audi cars on the 2021 IIHS top safety pick(+) rating.
This is a similar case to the 2022 safety ratings. We understand that Audi has years of unreliability in the early years, but so far, the Audi Pre-sense safety tech package is not only providing advanced safety features but also beating the big luxury brands in the industry.
Winner: Audi
Gas Mileage
Fuel economy and gas mileage are not features that German cars are known for. However, on a close comparison of Audi and Mercedes, especially with their best 2022 fuel economy models, we found that Audi returns better gas mileage than Mercedes.
With a 38 mpg highway fuel rating, the 2022 Audi A3 sedan returns better gas mileage than the 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA coupe, A-class sedan, E-class, S-class, or even the GLA-B SUVs with gas mileage between 32 – 36 mpg.
Winner: Audi
Verdict
The argument on Audi and Mercedes reliability boils down to individual preferences. Both cars are reliable, although not as reliable as some super-reliable cars.
The choice between Audi and Mercedes depends on whether you want luxury or are more concerned about the driving mechanism. You can also consider the cost of ownership on a long-term scale to help you make better decisions.
