Verdict
A 3-litre V6 diesel engine with a timing chain, fitted to the Audi A4 to A8, Q5, Q7 and Q8 and the Volkswagen Touareg and Phaeton. Its weak points are costly: the timing chain and tensioners can fail beyond 100,000 km, the turbo on pre-2007 versions often breaks, and emissions control faults (EGR, particulate filter, AdBlue) and oil leaks are common. Ask for the chain history and listen to a cold start.
Years to favour or avoid
- To favour
- No year particularly to favour
- To avoid
- 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Known faults
Timing chain, tensioners and oil pump
Severity 3/3 · SeriousThe timing chain can tighten, stretch or break (rattle on start-up), and an oil pump failure can destroy the engine; the first problems appear between 90,000 and 120,000 km according to CarVerif, which also notes partial engine failures beyond 130,000 km. One owner reports a chain replaced as early as 55,000 km.
- Versions
- tdi-3-0-v6
- Onset
- between 90,000 km and 120,000 km
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Audi Q7 Diesel 3.0 TDI 233 : fiabilité et performance — carverif.fr (new tab)
- Audi Q7 Problems & Known Issues — getcarwise.co.uk (new tab)
- Volkswagen Touareg II Diesel 3.0 TDI : performances et confort — carverif.fr (new tab)
- Volkswagen Touareg Problems & Known Issues — getcarwise.co.uk (new tab)
- Qualités et défauts Volkswagen Touareg (2010-2018) — fiches-auto.fr (new tab)
Fragile turbo (especially up to 2007)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyCaradisiac reports, on V6 TDI engines up to 2007, a fragile turbo with many unexpected failures. CarVerif counts a turbo replaced in 3 cases out of 10, at 170,000 km on average, on the 3.0 TDI 233.
- Versions
- tdi-3-0-v6
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Emissions control: EGR valve and cooler, particulate filter, AdBlue
Severity 2/3 · CostlyEGR cooler failure, particulate filter clogging (between 80,000 and 100,000 km in reviews noted by CarVerif) and AdBlue system faults (tank, pump, urea injector) that can limit restarts: the AdBlue repair is priced at €800 to €2,000.
- Versions
- tdi-3-0-v6
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- €800 to €2,000
Sources
- Audi Q7 Problems & Known Issues — getcarwise.co.uk (new tab)
- Audi Q7 Diesel 3.0 TDI 233 : fiabilité et performance — carverif.fr (new tab)
- Fiabilité du Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI : analyse complète — carverif.fr (new tab)
- Qualités et défauts Volkswagen Touareg (2010-2018) — fiches-auto.fr (new tab)
- Tous les problèmes sur Audi A4 2015 — fiches-auto.fr (new tab)
- Volkswagen Touareg III (CR7) : fiabilité — Car Reliability Report (new tab)
- Volkswagen Touareg III d'occasion : fiabilité et défauts — Automotive24 (new tab)
Oil leaks
Severity 2/3 · CostlyCarVerif rates the 3.0 TDI's sealing at 4/10: frequent oil leaks at seals and hoses, often after 150,000 km. Owners describe a leak between engine and gearbox (shaft seal), around €2,000 at an independent garage.
- Versions
- tdi-3-0-v6
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Models fitted
Buy with carePhoto: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Buy with carePhoto: Thomas doerfer, CC BY 3.0
Buy with carePhoto: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy with carePhoto: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Thomas doerfer, CC BY 3.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain
Buy with carePhoto: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain
Buy with carePhoto: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Extra cautionPhoto: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy with carePhoto: Rudolf Stricker, Attribution
Good choice, check firstPhoto: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0
AvoidPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Extra cautionPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Volkswagen Touareg
2010–2018 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €480/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Touareg
since 2018 · Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €764/month
Maintain and diagnose this engine
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.