Buying guide · 2014 to 2018Updated
Audi RS 7 (C7) buying guide
The C7 RS 7 is a fast four-seat Audi with one expensive weak point: check the turbo oil strainer recall was done, and favor the late cars.
The C7 RS 7 as a used buy
On a used Audi C7 RS 7, proof that recall 21H7 was carried out matters more than mileage or color. A blocked turbo oil strainer can wreck the engine, and the dealer fix is free.
The U.S. car, built for model years 2014 through 2018, paired a 560-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in a four-seat liftback body. A 2016 refresh and a 605-hp performance model followed. Budget for running one: Luxury Cars Guide expects non-routine repairs of $4,000 to $6,000 a year, so it suits a buyer who can absorb that.
Every car we track, with its market, is on the C7 RS 7 market page, and you can filter the used RS 7 listings for build dates after March 2017 once you know why that cutoff matters. Our list of the best used luxury sedans puts the car in context, and used Audis for sale shows the wider range.
C7 RS 7 years and versions
The RS 7 reached the U.S. for 2014 with 560 hp and 516 lb-ft, driven through quattro and a limited-slip rear differential. Adaptive air suspension was fitted from the start, and wheels are 20-inch, with 21-inch optional. For 2015 the head-up display became standard, and a Dynamic package added sharper handling hardware and more exhaust sound.
The 2016 refresh gave the car reworked styling at both ends, LED lights as standard and an updated cabin interface. The performance version arrived with it, at 605 hp, with upgraded suspension, brakes and exhaust, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Carvana points buyers who want the most power and crisper responses to that version, and our RS 7 performance listings show what is out there.
For 2018 a sport exhaust became standard and the wheel choices changed. It was the last U.S. year before a two-year gap. On the engine side, CarChecker says cars built after March 30, 2017 left the factory with the larger-mesh strainer, and it prefers them. what-breaks.com names a car with recall 21H7 done and steel brakes as the insider pick.
C7 RS 7 versions for sale now
Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history.
| Version | Model years | For sale | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7 RS 7 | 2014-2018 | 62 | $38,192 |
Common C7 RS 7 problems
The turbo oil strainer comes first, then the other faults the sources list, with their repair prices.
Turbo oil strainer blockage
CarChecker rates this as the most serious problem on the car: the strainer mesh is only 30 microns, so oil and carbon deposits clog it and starve the turbos. Sudden power loss, misfires and engine failure with no warning can follow, according to what-breaks.com.
Timing chain tensioners
The tensioners can bleed down overnight, leaving a rattle at cold start from the back of the engine and a risk that the chain skips. A rattle that lasts beyond a few seconds points to worn tensioners; one or two seconds is considered normal. Specialists charge €2,000-4,000 for the job, which takes 8-10 hours of labor, says CarChecker.
Air suspension and dampers
Leaking air springs make the compressor work until it fails, and the car sits low overnight, mostly at the rear. Both CarChecker and what-breaks.com put the leaks at 80,000-120,000 km. Springs run roughly €800-1,200 per corner at an independent and a compressor €1,000-1,500 fitted, per CarChecker. The DRC dampers and hydraulic central valve can fail in the same mileage window, with a Suspension Fault message on the dash.
Coolant leaks
The plastic thermostat housing and the water pump area leak, a problem CarChecker describes as well documented. Expect €1,500-2,500 at an independent and €2,500-3,500 at a dealer.
Carbon, PCV and camshafts
Carbon builds up on the intake valves of the direct-injection engine, and walnut blasting costs €800-1,200 at independents. A failing PCV valve or oil separator brings rough idle, vacuum leaks and extra oil use, at €1,500-2,000. On high-mileage cars, what-breaks.com warns that camshaft wear from 150,000 km may mean replacing the head and camshaft as one unit.
What to check on a used C7 RS 7
Start with the paperwork, then spend your time on a cold engine.
- Ask Audi to confirm from the VIN that recall 21H7 is complete, which CarChecker and what-breaks.com both treat as the most important check.
- Ask for the invoice showing the strainer replacement and oil change, and compare the build date with the March 30, 2017 cutoff.
- Arrive when the engine is stone cold and listen near the back of it for a rattle during the first half minute.
- Ask the seller not to start or move the car before you arrive, so you can see whether any corner has sagged overnight, and listen for a compressor that keeps running.
- Look under the car for coolant residue around the thermostat housing and water pump, and inspect the coolant level.
- Dip the oil at the start and end of your drive, and ask how much the car uses between changes.
- Scan for fault codes, including turbo underboost P0299, sport differential warnings, air suspension faults and misfires.
- Ask whether the ECU has been tuned.
- Watch the dash during the drive for a Suspension Fault message.
- Ask for the service history and note what oil change interval the owner kept.
C7 RS 7 running costs
Luxury Cars Guide expects annual non-routine repairs of $4,000 to $6,000. Euro Premium Parts puts an independent oil and inspection service at $600 to $1,200, and major services at $2,500 to $4,000.
On oil, CarChecker and Luxury Cars Guide both favor changes every 5,000 miles over Audi's 10,000-mile interval. what-breaks.com says front brakes under sporty use need replacing every 50,000-80,000 km. Costs for individual faults are in the problems section, and the euro figures are European specialist quotes.
Fuel adds up too: MotorBiscuit lists the RS 7 at 15 mpg city and 25 highway, helped by a system that shuts down four cylinders under light load. For what cars cost to buy, see the RS 7 price guide, and if you are weighing a newer model, our C8 RS 7 buying guide covers it.
C7 RS 7 recalls and complaints
NHTSA holds 3 recall campaigns for 2014 to 2018 RS 7s. The most serious is 22V178000, covering 2014 to 2017 RS 7s, where the turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked and wear the bearings from lack of lubrication. Edmunds lists it as 21H7, with a free fix of a new strainer and an oil change. The others are 18V370000, an air bag recall covering 2014 to 2018 RS 7s with basic seats, and 18V096000, a tire label that gave the wrong combined maximum weight on 2016 to 2018 cars.
A campaign for a model year doesn't mean every car was affected, so enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, 9 of them about the engine. Those are reports, not proven faults, and none involved crashes, fires or injuries.
NHTSA recalls for the C7 RS 7
Every recall campaign the carmaker filed with NHTSA for the 2014 to 2018 model years, newest first, as of Oct 31, 2026. Not every car of a listed year was affected: check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22V178000 | Mar 23, 2022 | 2014 to 2017 | Engine and engine cooling | Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V370000 | Jun 4, 2018 | 2014 to 2018 | Air bags | If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 18V096000 | Feb 7, 2018 | 2016 to 2018 | Equipment | If the operator were to load the vehicle based on information on the tire information label, they could overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Owner complaints to NHTSA about the C7 RS 7
Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 to 2018 model years. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 9 |
| Air bags | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 |
Best C7 RS 7 deals right now
13 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $6,006. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one.
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$6k below market Locked2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I
Great deal: about $6k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $25,793Deal score 100 -
$6k below market Locked2015 Audi RS 7
Gen I
Great deal: about $6k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $20,490Deal score 100 -
$6k below market Locked2015 Audi RS 7
Gen I
Great deal: about $6k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $28,594Deal score 99 -
$5k below market Locked
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I
Great deal: about $5k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $31,040Deal score 98 -
$4k below market Locked2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I
Great deal: about $4k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $30,622Deal score 96 -
$6k below market Locked2018 Audi RS 7
Gen I
Great deal: about $6k under fair value for its year, trim and miles.
Asking price $39,610Deal score 95
Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email.
C7 RS 7 prices by model year
Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range.
- 2018 $48,695
- 2017 Audi RS 7 for sale $43,949
- 2016 Audi RS 7 for sale $40,073
- 2015 Audi RS 7 for sale $35,637
- 2014 Audi RS 7 for sale $30,990
C7 RS 7 fair values by trim and year
Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason.
| Trim | Model year | Fair value | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0T quattro Prestige | 2017 | $43,493 | 73,300 |
| 4.0T quattro Prestige | 2016 | $40,605 | 73,200 |
| 4.0T quattro Prestige | 2015 | $36,711 | 74,400 |
| 4.0T quattro Prestige | 2014 | $31,619 | 86,400 |
| 4.0T quattro performance Prestg | 2017 | $47,139 | 68,700 |
| 4.0T quattro performance Prestg | 2016 | $45,740 | 60,600 |
| 4.0T quattro Performance | 2018 | $52,151 | 60,500 |
| 4.0T quattro | 2018 | $47,600 | 67,900 |
| 4.0T quattro | 2015 | $34,286 | 88,100 |
| 4.0T Prestige | 2015 | $39,360 | 60,900 |
C7 RS 7 for sale now
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2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $38,099 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $44,900 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $21,995 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $39,950 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $33,349 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $36,219 -
2017 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $40,998 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $30,027 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $40,777 -
2015 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $20,490 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $34,694 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $38,285 -
2017 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $43,593 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $25,793 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $36,989 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $43,495 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $69,999 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $38,575 -
2016 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $38,739 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $33,180 -
2017 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $44,305 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $31,745 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $28,487 -
2014 Audi RS 7
Gen I 4.0T quattro Prestige
Asking price $30,990
Our verdict
Buy a late car with the strainer recall documented, preferably built after March 30, 2017, and take the performance version if you want the extra output and sharper responses. CarChecker calls the 4.0 TFSI V8 fundamentally sound when maintained, with many cars past 150,000 km, and rates the ZF 8HP gearbox among the best proven around.
Insist on a cold start, a full scan and a service history with frequent oil changes, and walk away from any car that cannot show the strainer work.
Sources
We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026.
- Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI C7 Reliability - Problems & Costs CarChecker
- Audi RS 7: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide | Carvana Carvana
- Audi RS7 C7 — All Engines, Problems & Buying Guide (2013–2018) what-breaks.com
- A Used Audi RS7 Is a Bargain Family Super Car - MotorBiscuit MotorBiscuit
- 2014 Audi RS 7 Prices, Reviews, and Pictures | Edmunds Edmunds
- Recalls & faults: Audi C7 RS7 Sportback (2014-17) Australian Car.Reviews
- Audi RS7: Common Problems, Repair Costs & What to Watch For Luxury Cars Guide
- Audi RS7 C7 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Euro Premium Parts
- Recalls and owner complaints for the C7 RS 7 NHTSA
C7 RS 7: common questions
What is the best C7 RS 7 to buy?
Buy a late car with recall 21H7 completed, preferably built after March 30, 2017, and choose the performance version if you want 605 hp. CarChecker says cars from after that date left the factory with the larger-mesh oil strainer. Skip any car without proof of the strainer work.
What goes wrong with the C7 RS 7?
The big one is the turbo oil strainer, which can clog and starve the turbos of oil. Sources also cite timing chain tensioners, air springs and compressor, coolant leaks at the thermostat housing, carbon on the intake valves and PCV failures. At a viewing, check recall status by VIN, listen to a cold start, look for overnight sag and coolant residue, and scan for codes.
Is the C7 RS 7 reliable?
Yes, if the strainer recall has been done. CarChecker calls the 4.0 TFSI fundamentally sound when maintained and the ZF 8HP gearbox among the best proven. The air suspension, cooling system and timing chain tensioners are the likely bills.
How much does it cost to run a C7 RS 7?
Expect real money. Luxury Cars Guide puts annual non-routine repairs at $4,000 to $6,000, and Euro Premium Parts puts an independent service at $600 to $1,200, with major services at $2,500 to $4,000. CarChecker and Luxury Cars Guide both recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles.
How much is a used C7 RS 7?
Asking prices for the 62 cars we track for sale right now run from $20,490 to $69,999, with a median of $38,192. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit.
Has the C7 RS 7 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns filed for the 2014 to 2018 model years as of Oct 31, 2026, the latest for engine and engine cooling. Not every car was affected, so check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls.