Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series
Figures per shared age band: numerator, denominator and country index for both models, from the same source.
| Age | Audi A4 | BMW 3 Series | Difference (percentage points) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspections with a defect | Country index | Inspections with a defect | Country index | ||
| 3-5 years | 2032 of 10961 (18.5%) | 89 | 2213 of 14506 (15.3%) | 73 | +3.28 |
| 6-8 years | 4502 of 20323 (22.2%) | 77 | 2711 of 13221 (20.5%) | 72 | +1.64 |
| 9-11 years | 5596 of 20512 (27.3%) | 81 | 5422 of 22316 (24.3%) | 72 | +2.98 |
| 12-14 years | 8057 of 23035 (35%) | 82 | 5755 of 18953 (30.4%) | 71 | +4.62 |
| 15-19 years | 15216 of 33586 (45.3%) | 91 | 12885 of 32817 (39.3%) | 79 | +6.04 |
100 = country average for that age band in this country.
Recalls and complaints
Audi A4
No recalls or complaints reported for this model.
BMW 3 Series
Official item from NHTSA: power train / automatic transmission / control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign number: 23V821000.
Official item from EU Safety Gate
Official item from EU Safety Gate
Official item from NHTSA: engine
19 of the 52 of all NHTSA complaints for this model year.
Official item from NHTSA: electrical system
19 of the 52 of all NHTSA complaints for this model year.
What this does not show
- The country index is the average of all cars of this model in this country. It is not a chance of defects for one car.
- A complaint share is a share of the reported complaints. It is not a chance of defects for this model.
- Each band already takes age into account. Differences between generations or trims are not included.
- These figures apply to Netherlands. You cannot simply compare them with figures from another country.
Frequently asked questions
What are the inspection figures for Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, per age band?
Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series: 3-5 years: 89 versus 73. 6-8 years: 77 versus 72. 9-11 years: 81 versus 72. 12-14 years: 82 versus 71. 15-19 years: 91 versus 79. 100 = country average for that age band in this country.
Are any recalls known for Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series?
Audi A4: 0. BMW 3 Series: 3.
Where do these figures come from?
Dutch inspection data (data through 08/09/2026) Both models use the same source and the same reference date.
Methodology
Each row compares inspections from the same age band, in the same country.
The country index puts the model's defect rate on a scale. On that scale, 100 is the country average for that band.
We only compare two models if they share at least two age bands.
What counts as a failed inspection differs per country. So never compare these figures with figures from another country.