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Audi A4: EA888 Gen 1 Excessive Oil Consumption

EA888 Gen 1 Excessive Oil Consumption is a common engine fault on the Audi A4 on the 2012–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $200 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 45 documented faults on the Audi A4.

Vehicle
Audi A4
Engine
1.8L / 2.0L
Years
2012–2013
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Audi A4 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Audi A4 faults45 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

First-generation EA888 engines (CDNC, CJCA codes) used piston rings with insufficient tension combined with a poorly designed oil scraper ring, causing oil to pass the rings and burn in combustion. Audi acknowledged consumption of up to 0.5 L per 1,000 km as within specification, a threshold widely considered unacceptable. Many engines require a litre of oil between the 10,000 km service interval. Piston ring replacement is the definitive fix but costs are high; partial mitigation comes from revised piston rings issued under updated specification.

What you would notice

  • Oil level below minimum between 5,000–10,000 km services
  • Blue smoke from exhaust particularly on start-up or overrun
  • Oil top-up receipts visible in service history
  • Spark plugs oil-fouled on inspection

How to check it

Where to look. Internal engine — piston rings and oil scraper rings in cylinder bores

  1. Check current oil level and ask when it was last topped up and by how much.

  2. Inspect spark plugs for carbon or oil fouling (remove one plug for inspection).

  3. Look for blue tinge in exhaust under hard acceleration.

  4. Request any oil consumption test results or dealer correspondence.

  5. Early engines predating revised piston ring spec are higher risk.

What it costs to put right

$200 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “How much oil has been added between scheduled services?”
  • “Has a formal oil consumption test been conducted by a workshop?”
  • “Have revised piston rings or any internal engine work been carried out?”

Now check the Audi A4 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Audi A4 buyer questions

Is ea888 gen 1 excessive oil consumption serious on a Audi A4?

We rate it major and common on the Audi A4. First-generation EA888 engines (CDNC, CJCA codes) used piston rings with insufficient tension combined with a poorly designed oil scraper ring, causing oil to pass the rings and burn in combustion. Audi acknowledged consumption of up to 0.5 L per 1,000 km as within specification, a threshold widely considered unacceptable. Many engines require a litre of oil between the 10,000 km service interval. Piston ring replacement is the definitive fix but costs are high; partial mitigation comes from revised piston rings issued under updated specification.

How much does it cost to fix on a Audi A4?

$200 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Audi A4 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2012–2013 Audi A4. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check current oil level and ask when it was last topped up and by how much. Inspect spark plugs for carbon or oil fouling (remove one plug for inspection). Look for blue tinge in exhaust under hard acceleration. Request any oil consumption test results or dealer correspondence. Early engines predating revised piston ring spec are higher risk. Look here: Internal engine — piston rings and oil scraper rings in cylinder bores