In association with Audi New Zealand
If your Audi has passed the eight-year mark, the Audi Essential Service is a fixed-price option from Audi New Zealand designed for exactly that stage of ownership. It’s $399 including GST, whatever the model or engine size, and it covers genuine Audi engine oil and oil filter replacement, a detailed vehicle inspection with a digital report, a logbook stamp for the oil change, a reset of the service interval display, a 20 per cent discount off the RRP on any additional Audi Genuine Parts fitted on the day, and a wash and vacuum.
NZPC: As Audi vehicles age beyond eight years, what are some of the key things owners should consider when it comes to maintaining performance, reliability, and driving enjoyment?
The most important consideration is staying proactive with maintenance rather than waiting for issues to arise. Regular servicing helps ensure key wear-and-tear items such as brakes, suspension components, batteries, filters, and fluids are inspected and replaced when required. Addressing these items early can help prevent larger repairs and keep the vehicle performing as Audi intended.
Using Audi Genuine Parts is another important factor. These components are designed specifically for the vehicle and tested to meet Audi’s engineering standards, helping to ensure the correct fit, performance, and longevity.
Why is regular servicing so important for vehicles, especially as they get older?
As vehicles age, preventative maintenance becomes especially valuable. Replacing worn components at the appropriate intervals and ensuring fluids are kept fresh can help reduce strain on key systems and support the vehicle’s continued performance and efficiency. Regular servicing also provides an opportunity to carry out vehicle health checks, software updates, and diagnostic scans to identify any emerging concerns.
For owners of older European vehicles, consistent servicing can help maximise the lifespan of the vehicle, maintain a comprehensive service history, and protect resale value. Just as importantly, it provides confidence that the vehicle remains safe, reliable, and enjoyable to drive.
Why does using Audi Genuine Parts, specialist equipment, and technicians trained specifically on Audi vehicles make a difference for owners?
It comes down to three things working together — the parts, the people, and the equipment.
Audi Genuine Parts are engineered to exacting standards and carry a two-year warranty. The technicians fitting them are factory-trained specialists, including Master Technicians, and that training is ongoing rather than a one-off qualification. A technician who knows your model intimately can work through it efficiently, which is worth something when you’re paying by the hour.
Then there’s the diagnostic equipment. Audi Approved Service Centres run factory-connected technology that communicates directly with the vehicle’s systems, which opens up data, calibrations, and capabilities beyond those available to independent workshops. That connection also means software can be kept current, so the car continues to benefit from the latest factory enhancements to safety, efficiency, and performance.
A modern Audi features a lot of advanced technology and systems. How important is having the right diagnostic equipment when maintaining these vehicles?
Having the right diagnostic equipment is critical. Today’s vehicles are equipped with sophisticated technology, from advanced driver assistance systems and engine management software to connected services and complex electrical networks. Many issues are not immediately visible during a standard inspection and can only be accurately identified using manufacturer-approved diagnostic tools.
As vehicles age, components can experience wear, and faults may become more complex or intermittent, making accurate diagnosis essential.
Manufacturer-approved diagnostic equipment enables technicians to identify issues quickly and accurately, access vehicle-specific information, and ensure any repairs are completed correctly the first time. It also allows important software updates, system calibrations, and health checks to be carried out where required.
For Audi owners, this can help avoid unnecessary parts replacement, reduce diagnostic guesswork, and provide confidence that the vehicle is being maintained to Audi’s recommended standards. Combined with the expertise of trained Audi technicians and the use of Audi Genuine Parts, it helps ensure the vehicle continues to perform reliably, safely, and efficiently for years to come.
For owners with an Audi over eight years old, what is the Audi Essential Service programme and why was it introduced?
Servicing older European vehicles after their original factory warranty expires can be worrying and sometimes expensive. Essential Service was introduced to provide greater peace of mind through fixed-price servicing, helping to reduce uncertainty and make ownership more predictable.
There is also a common perception that servicing at an authorised dealership is more expensive than independent alternatives. Essential Service was designed to help challenge this perception by offering transparent pricing and exceptional value, making dealership servicing a more accessible option for owners.
Who is the Audi Essential Service designed for? Is it aimed at keeping older daily drivers on the road, enthusiast-owned cars, or both?
Anyone! As long as your Audi is eight years or older.
What is included in the Audi Essential Service, and what checks do technicians carry out beyond changing the oil and filters?
For a fixed $399, the service covers:
- Fresh genuine Audi engine oil, along with a new oil filter
- A detailed vehicle inspection, supplied as a digital report. It works through the underbody and exhaust system, windscreen and body, windscreen wipers and washers, horn, seatbelts and lighting, battery, engine including cooling and fuel systems, gearbox, final drive, steering and suspension, wheels and tyres, tyre repair sealant, brakes, and brake hoses, then finishes with a road test
- A logbook stamp recording the oil change service, which is the entry that matters most when the car eventually goes up for sale
- A reset of the service interval display
- An exclusive 20 per cent discount off the RRP on any additional Audi Genuine Parts bought and fitted while the car is in
- A wash and vacuum.
