Audi A4

The A4 is one of the most-imported Audis, and the logic is petrol plus equipment: Virtual Cockpit, Bang & Olufsen, a stack of assists. US diesel is essentially nonexistent.

The drivetrain wants checking, but don't fear a wall of front-drive — quattro clearly dominates the stock. Front- wheel drive exists on the base '40 TFSI' (2.0 TFSI, 184–201 hp) and is a minority that loses value here, so run the VIN to confirm quattro rather than to hunt for it as a rarity. The stronger '45 TFSI' (248–261 hp) is all-wheel drive, but from 2017 the classic Torsen was replaced on many variants by Quattro Ultra, which disconnects the rear axle when cruising — more complex to maintain and not the permanent 4×4 the badge implies.

The engine is the 2.0 TFSI (EA888 Gen 3/Gen 4) — cleaned up from the old oil consumption, but with two recurring faults: leaks from the plastic water-pump/thermostat module and temperamental emissions sensors.

The body is compatible with the European A4, but if a front- end hit is missed in the auction photos, the grille, radiators and lights run the bill up fast.