Audi Australia owners can also check their ‘dieselgate’ status online, 16,085 cars affected – UPDATE
UPDATE: Audi has confirmed a new number of 16,085 vehicles, up from 14,028. This article has been updated.
Audi Australia has followed sister brands Volkswagen and Skoda in creating an online tool that will allow owners to check if their vehicle is powered by the EA189 diesel engine installed with software designed to cheat emissions tests.
This means that, while there is not yet a recall in action, customers can find out quickly if their car is affected — if they didn’t know already. The online VIN check tool can be found at www.audi.com.au/au/brand/en/owners/diesel-service-activity.html.
As we know, VW and Skoda offer similar tools on their sites.
The luxury brand said 16,085 of its vehicles had been affected. All are fitted with the VW Group EU5 E189 TDI diesel engine, in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre guise. None of the cars are unsafe to drive.
Vehicles with this engine were sold between 2008 and 2015, and include certain A1, A3 (previous-generation), A4, A5, A6, TT (previous-generation), Q3 and Q5s. No petrol engines, EU6 TDI, V6 TDI or V8 TDI models are included.
“Until a technical solution is made available, customers do not need to act however are encouraged to check their vehicle using the VIN check tool, or contact the company’s 24 hour 1800 50 AUDI (2834) Customer Information Line,” the company said.
Audi Australia says it updated government authorities last week. As we reported, on October 3 it temporarily suspended the sale of certain vehicles with its EA189 diesel engine (these being the currently on sale A4, A5 and Q5 with the 2.0 TDI).
“Audi Australia takes this issue extremely seriously. We are constantly in contact with our head office to accurately establish the facts do we can support our Australian owners and our national dealer network,” said Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle.
“As soon as more information comes to hand, and a technical solution has been prepared, Audi Australia will present its action plan to its 14,028 customers. We understand the concern of our owners, and our dealer network, in light of this global topic.”
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