Selling an old or non-running Audi V8

If your V8 hasn't moved in years, you can still sell it. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

One generation, four recall campaigns

EPA data lists the V8 for the 1990 through 1994 model years, as a compact or midsize car with a gasoline engine. Wikipedia gives it a 3.6-liter V8 mounted lengthwise up front, a 4-speed ZF 4HP24A automatic, and the Volkswagen Group D1 platform. Its related car is the Audi 100/200. Some cars also wear a "4.2 quattro" badge on the trunk lid.

Owners named three components most: vehicle speed control (3 complaints), hydraulic service brakes (3) and equipment (3). Air bags and the electrical system have one each. Three of those areas also have a recall:

• Cruise control, 96V084000. A bushing that guides the cruise control rod can wear out and make the rod bind. Dealers fitted an improved bushing. It covers 1990-1991 cars, and the campaign counted 3,100 vehicles.
• Air bag sensor, 97V172000. Some air bag sensors did not meet Audi's durability standards over the car's life. Dealers replaced the sensor control module. It reaches the 1989-1993 model years. That 54,800 covers the whole campaign, which may reach past the V8 to other Audis.
• Rear speaker amplifiers, 01V324000. A capacitor in each rear amplifier could leak electrolyte and, with humidity, form an unwanted conductive path. Dealers replaced the amplifiers on 1991-1992 cars; 4,300 vehicles in the campaign.
• Trunk jack label, 91V050000. The label in the trunk did not match the jack supplied with the car. The fix was a corrected label and a manual insert, for 1989-1991 cars; 20,800 vehicles across the campaign.

The V8's NHTSA record by year

Complaint totals are NHTSA's, tallied October 10, 2026. A recall listed under 1990 may also show up under 1991, since campaigns span years.

The file has no complaints for 1993 or 1994, and recall 97V172000 still reaches the 1993. With 11 complaints spread over five years, the counts are too small to rank one year against another.

Fix it or sell it?

Every V8 is now more than 30 years old, so the question is rarely one repair. Work through it in this order.

1. Check recalls. Put your VIN into NHTSA's recall lookup and ask an Audi dealer if the jack, cruise, air bag or amplifier work ever got done on your car.
2. Is the 3.6-liter V8 itself gone? Ask for a written repair price, then see what sellers want for a running V8 from that year. The blown engine guide helps you weigh it.
3. Has it been parked for years? See sitting for years for what to look at before you decide.
4. Was it a restoration plan that stalled? The old project car guide covers that sale.

Selling a V8 whole

1. Have your Audi V8's VIN and mileage handy, plus what broke and if it can be pushed.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it sits: a garage, a barn, the side of the house. The truck comes to the car.
4. Keep the V8 together. The engine, the ZF gearbox and the wheels stay on. Anything taken off earlier, mention it.
5. Find the title. A car this old often turns up without one; start with the no-title guide. After pickup, after you sell covers plates and insurance.

Looking at other Audis? See the A8, 100 and 5000, or every Audi we cover.