A used Audi from Japan is German technology, quattro grip, and the finest cabin in the class
Audi's whole idea is Vorsprung durch Technik, progress through technology, and it shows in three places. The quattro all-wheel drive grips in any weather, the cabins are the best built in the segment, and the design is clean and timeless rather than shouty. A used Audi lets you own all of that and the badge for a fraction of the new price. The honest part is that an Audi costs more to service than a typical Japanese car, so the smart buy is a low-mileage, carefully kept example with a clean history. Japan has these in abundance, and the sheet lets you start from a good car.
The A4 and A6 lead the saloons, the Q range covers the SUVs, and S and RS bring the pace
The A-cars are the saloons and hatches, from the compact A3 and A4 up to the executive A6 and flagship A8. The Q range covers the SUVs, from the popular Q5 to the seven-seat Q7, and the TT is the sports coupe. The S and RS badges are the performance versions, the R8 is the V10 supercar, and e-tron is the electric line. Here is how the range lines up.
| Model | Type | Best for |
|---|
| Audi A4 | Compact executive saloon | The bread-and-butter Audi |
| Audi A6 | Executive saloon | Bigger, sharper-handling saloon |
| Audi A3 | Compact hatch or saloon | The affordable, reliable way in |
| Audi A8 | Flagship saloon | Full-size luxury limousine |
| Audi Q5 | Compact luxury SUV | The best-selling Audi SUV |
| Audi Q3 | Compact family SUV | Smaller, stylish family crossover |
| Audi Q7 | Full-size luxury SUV | Seven-seat family flagship |
| Audi TT | Sports coupe | Iconic two-door, roadster too |
| Audi RS6 | Performance wagon | The S and RS performance halo |
If your model isn't on the shortlist, the live stock above runs far deeper than this table.
A used Audi puts German tech-luxury within reach, with the Q SUVs holding their value best
What you pay for a used Audi turns on year, mileage, and auction grade, and the Q5 and Q7 SUVs hold their value best. The saloons depreciate furthest, which means they give the most car for the money second-hand, while a fast RS model carries a premium. A low-mileage, clean-sheet car is worth paying a little more for. The running costs sit above a Japanese car, so budget for upkeep too. On top of the car, your landed cost adds shipping, insurance, and your country's duties, which vary by destination and engine size. Tell us the model and your port and we'll break the full landed cost down.
TokyoCarZ handles your import from selection to your port
Importing with TokyoCarZ runs through five clear steps, from picking the car to landing it at your port. You stay in control at each stage, and your payment stays protected the whole way.
- Tell us what you need. Share your budget, model, year range, and any grade or mileage requirement, and we source to it.
- Browse the full platform. Buy a fixed-price car from dealer stock, or have us secure your pick from the live Japanese auction network, all in one place.
- Confirm price and condition. You get the auction sheet, a translation, photos, and a pre-bid inspection, so you see exactly what you're buying before you pay.
- Pay safely. Pay through a protected escrow scheme, and your money stays held until the deal is done.
- We ship it. We handle export paperwork, marine insurance, and shipping by RoRo or container, and coordinate with your customs agent at the port.
Every Audi carries an auction grade and inspection sheet you can read before you buy
Every car at a Japanese auction is inspected and given a grade and a condition sheet, so you can judge a used Audi from anywhere before you commit. The grade is the inspector's verdict on condition, not just a mileage figure, and a damage map on the sheet marks every scratch and repair. We review and translate that sheet before any bid, so you never buy blind. Here's what the main grades mean.
- Grade 5 is excellent, close to new with very low mileage and only the lightest marks.
- Grade 4.5 is very good, usually under about 100,000 km, with slight imperfections and no major repair.
- Grade 4 is the export sweet spot, a sound car with no crash history, some honest wear, and the best balance of condition and price.
- Grade 3.5 is an average older car, a sensible budget buy if the damage map shows nothing structural.
- Grade R means accident damage that's been repaired, which isn't a reason to walk away on its own, since the notes tell the real story.
Alongside the number, separate A to E letters score the exterior and interior, where A is pristine and E is rough. A grade is a strong guide, not a guarantee, so for a higher-value Audi like a Q7 or RS model it's worth pairing it with the photos and an agent's pre-bid inspection.
Quattro grip, the class-best cabin, and Japan's well-kept examples set a used Audi apart
A used Audi earns its place three ways. First is quattro, Audi's rally-bred all-wheel-drive system, which grips confidently in rain, snow, or on loose ground. Second is the cabin, since Audi builds the best-finished, most tech-forward interiors in the class, with a crisp digital dash. Third is the Japanese advantage, because the cars there are low-mileage, fastidiously maintained, and free of the rust that salted roads cause elsewhere. Buy on a clean auction sheet and you get the technology without inheriting someone else's neglect.
Choose your Audi by body, then by quattro and how much performance you want
The first call with an Audi is quattro, its all-wheel-drive system that grips in any weather. Then pick the body. The A4 and A6 are the sharp-handling saloons, the A3 is the affordable entry, and the Q3, Q5, and Q7 give the same character in an SUV. An S or RS car thrills but costs more to run, while a regular quattro model is the sweet spot. Set your budget against the grade and the upkeep, since a clean, low-mileage car costs less to own. Browse the Audi stock above, or tell us your needs and budget and we'll shortlist the right cars.
Audi import questions, answered
Is a used Audi expensive to run and maintain?
Yes, an Audi costs more to service and repair than a typical Japanese car, which is the trade-off for the technology and the badge. Parts and labour sit in the premium bracket, and the quattro system and electronics add complexity, so buy a low-mileage, well-kept example with a clean history. Starting from a good car avoids the big bills a neglected one brings.
Why buy a used Audi from Japan?
Because Audis in Japan are typically low-mileage and superbly maintained, and you skip the steep depreciation of a new one. Owners there drive fewer miles, service on schedule, and the mild climate with no road salt means almost no rust. Japan's strict inspection makes the car's history impossible to fake. The auction sheet shows you exactly what you're buying.
Is quattro worth it on a used Audi?
Yes, quattro is worth having if your roads see rain, snow, or loose surfaces, since it adds real all-weather grip and security. It's Audi's signature, rally-bred and fitted as standard on the S, RS, and most SUV models. A front-wheel-drive Audi is cheaper to run and fine in mild climates, so it comes down to your weather. Check which system a car has on the sheet before you buy.
Which used Audi makes the most sense?
For most buyers the A4 saloon or the Q5 SUV is the sweet spot, blending the Audi cabin and quattro with sensible running costs. The A3 is the affordable, reliable entry, while the A6 and Q7 add space and luxury. The S and RS models bring the pace if you want it, at a higher running cost. Match the model to your budget and the grade to your peace of mind.