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Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

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Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
39 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 20100 miles driven2017 Audi A4
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 20100 miles driven
30 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 35400 miles driven2015 Audi A4 / S4 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  30 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 35400 miles driven
49 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 41400 miles driven2014 Audi A4 / S4
[?] see reported repairs
  49 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 41400 miles driven
62 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 54800 miles driven

Refreshed for this model year.2013		 Audi A4 / S4
[?] see reported repairs
  62 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 54800 miles driven

Refreshed for this model year.
29 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 67600 miles driven2012 Audi S4 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  29 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 67600 miles driven
25 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 54100 miles driven2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  25 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 54100 miles driven
25 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 75200 miles driven

Multiple reports of mechatronics problems with the S4's DSG transmission. Multiple reports of excessive oil consumption for the 2.0T engine. Some engines rebuilt with updated piston rings.2011		 Audi S4 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  25 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 75200 miles driven

Multiple reports of mechatronics problems with the S4's DSG transmission. Multiple reports of excessive oil consumption for the 2.0T engine. Some engines rebuilt with updated piston rings.
28 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 134900 miles driven

Includes 2005.5. First model year of the B7 A4.2006		 Audi A4 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  28 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 134900 miles driven

Includes 2005.5. First model year of the B7 A4.

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Mercedes-Benz C-Classs and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4s with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Mercedes-Benz C-Classs and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4s that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 have been recently.

To see how frequently Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

TrueDelta Reviews the Brand Reputation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Brand Reputation: Pros
YearComment
2015 Mercedes-Benz has been walking a tightrope. On the one hand, many people who thought nothing of buying an Audi or BMW couldn't quite see themselves in something so lofty as a Mercedes. On the other, attempts to counter such perceptions risked damaging the brand's equity. Despite some missteps over the past two decades, Mercedes-Benz has managed to avoid both Scylla and Carybdis. More people than ever perceive a Mercedes as a car they could own. Yet it retains more prestige among the general population than Audi and BMW. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 228-horsepower 3.0L V6
6-speed manual RWD		 Quality engineering particular prior to the merge with Chrysler and since the dissolution of this partnership. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
2008 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Everyone is impressed with a Mercedes Benz. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
2008 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 I grew up seeing Mercedes with as many as five 250,000 kilometer badges. These Mercedes were know to last as many as 1,000,000 miles. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
2008 4dr Sedan 228-horsepower 3.0L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Mercedes-Benz defines location and quality. Furthermore, their tradition in auto racing is so acclaimed. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
2008 4dr Sedan supercharged 181hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Still a benz and implies more class than a BMW see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
2004 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.6L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 The M-B brand reflects quality and reliability. This car has been awesome on all accounts. I have had NO trouble at all, and it is so much fun to drive. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
2002 2dr Hatch supercharged 192hp 2.3L I4
6-speed manual RWD		 Mercedes has always had a good brand reputation and an image of a car owned by sucessful individual. The C-Class pricing allows an individual of modest means to buy one new. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan supercharged 154hp 1.6L I4
6-speed manual RWD		 Still marketed as a "comfort" vehicle. Could do more to market the sporty aspects. see full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Audi A4 / S4 / RS4

Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Wagon turbocharged 211hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Audi now rivals Mercedes and Porsche for brand image. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 211hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 great brand see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual AWD		 I focused on the A4 Avant in part due to many reviews of this model vs other "comparable" vehicles. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Audi-for people who can park themselves, right? this is the brand for people who know better. quattro baby! see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Overall I like the styles, though they need to work on interior design. Here again, the TT designers did great on interior, A4 less so but ok. Audi brand reputation and image to me is one of style plus excellent handling. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Audi is a high-class brand. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2006 4dr Sedan 340-horsepower 4.2L V8
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Audi is competent without being flashy. Confident without being cocky. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2005 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Love German Cars see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2005 4dr Wagon 340-horsepower 4.2L V8
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 I am an avid Audi fan. I have always followed their racing efforts as well as their production cars. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2003 4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual AWD		 Audi is a luxury brand. It is clearly the vehicle I would like to be associated with. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2002 4dr Sedan 220-horsepower 3.0L V6
6-speed manual AWD		 Not as well regarded as mercedes or bmw see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review
2002 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD		 This car was taken to the dealership during the initial free maint period of 50,000 miles. I always provided my own synthetic oil as the dealership wouldn't use synthetic if they provided the oil. After 50K, I did attempt to use the dealership on a couple of occasions only to be shocked at the high dollar quotes for the most simple of repairs. They wanted $900 to replace the cam shaft seals. $1800 for timing belt kit install. The dealer attitude is that owner repairs are only done by fools at their own peril. My experience with this car has led me to understand that Audi vehicles do require more maintenance and attention than your average Japanese brands. It is a German car and there are engineering qualities that I admire. But it ain't a spaceship requiring a highly skilled scientist to work on it. Given this snooty attitude I experienced at the dealeship, I wish Audi (Service Reps) would be less about making a buck and more about pleasing the customer. Audi cars are fine vehicles. However, if you want to own one, try to do some of your own maint and repairs. I see too many negative comments in other review forums related to the high cost of ownership due to repairs at dealerships. I understand that some folks can't or won't work on their own vehicles. If this is your situation, I would not recommend an Audi. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review