Audi A4 - Pictures

Anti-roll bars can corrode around the mounting points on early cars. This leads to knocking and a £500 bill, so make sure they are in order.

Some engines can use a lot of oil in the first few thousand miles, so regularly check the dipstick to ensure the lubricant is clean and up to the mark.

Interior quality is generally good on the A4, but check the driver’s seat for wear. Some switches are weak, too, so ensure everything works.

Clutch judder can be a problem on manual cars when they are cold. However, there is a kit available to fix the problem, so it’s not terminal.

Cold-air units can be troublesome, leading to the car misting up in chilly weather. Replacement of the system is always extremely expensive.