Selling a junk Audi 80 or 90

We buy whole non-running and junk cars. If your 80 or 90 is done, sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

1988-1992: drivetrain years

The first five model years in EPA data hold 33 complaints. Power train is named in 6 of the 7 on the 1989 and 6 of the 12 on the 1990. Recall 93V006 fits that pattern. Over time the transaxle's differential oil evaporates; starved of it, the gears and bearings wear early and the differential eventually quits. Dealers replaced the oil with a better one. That campaign lists 152,000 vehicles and also covers the Audi 100 and 5000.

The 1990 also has recall 90V070, for steering lock bolts that could break if a driver forces a locked wheel; dealers replaced the lock assembly. On 1989-1993 cars, 97V172 swaps the air bag sensor control module; 54,800 vehicles are in that campaign, possibly including other Audis. The 1992 has a single complaint on file, about seat belts.

1993-1995: electrical and fuel

The last three years draw more complaints than the first five. On the 1993, fuel system leads with 5 of 16, and 2 mention a fire. On V6 cars only, recall 98V332 renews every injector, since an internal injector seal can malfunction and leak fuel into the engine compartment. It applies only to V6 cars, and its 37,200 vehicles may include other models.

Electrical complaints climb from there: 6 of 10 on the 1994, then 10 of 18 on the 1995. On 1994-1996 cars, recall 96V017 swaps ignition switches that can cause some accessories to malfunction. Recall 97V175 adds a ground wire so static electricity can't fire the driver air bag as someone gets in or out. Those campaigns list 24,000 and 39,300 vehicles and may cover other models.

Complaints and recalls by year

Counts come from NHTSA's complaint database, pulled October 10, 2026. Owners filed them; they do not score reliability.

Keep it running or sell it?

At 30-plus years, the question is usually whether parts and labor make sense against what a running 80 or 90 sells for. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup first. If the trouble is electrical, our electrical problems guide helps you judge whether it's a quick find or a long hunt. If it's a half-finished project, see old project car.

How the sale works

Request an offer here or ring (877) 421-6008. Spell out which badge is on the trunk, 80, 90 or quattro, and whether the car moves on its own wheels. Pulled the radio or a fender already? Say so. When the driver comes for your 80 or 90, have the signed title and your license ready. For plates and paperwork after that, see after you sell.

Also on this site: the Audi 100, the 4000 and every Audi model.