Sell your 1998 Audi A4 for cash

The 1998 Audi A4 is a wagon that came with a choice of 1.8L 4-cyl and 2.8L 6-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 1998 A4 in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 1998 A4

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

1998 Audi A4 at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines1.8L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy16–20 city / 25–29 highway / 19–23 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,550–$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂386–468 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA11 configurations: A4, A4 quattro, A4 Avant, A4 Avant quattro
Age28 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 A4's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 A4. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the service brakes, hydraulic, typically around 82,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1998 Audi A4 recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1998 Audi A4. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsJul 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V471000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode…

Risk: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury o

SteeringSep 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V248000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.

Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.

Service Brakes, HydraulicMay 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V131001

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 f under certain driving conditions.

Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.

Engine and Engine CoolingJun 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V134000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.

Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.

Common 1998 A4 problems

Owners have filed 258 complaints about the 1998 Audi A4 with NHTSA. 6 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 11 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic59
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
  • Steering13
  • Electrical System12
  • Engine and Engine Cooling11

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic82,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic82,000 mi
  • Steering54,000 mi
  • Electrical System68,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling76,000 mi

1998 Audi A4 service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 85 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Audi A4. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling12
  • Engine and Engine Cooling12
  • Equipment6
  • Unknown or Other6
  • Equipment4
  • Wheels4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2019 · AWC 19-05

    This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2019 · AWC 19-04

    This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7,

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2017 · A941791 2012749-

    This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light,

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2017 · SM 44-2017 EN

    This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 5 defect investigations covering the 1998 Audi A4.

Fuel System, GasolineEA04017 · opened Jun 2004, closed Feb 2005Led to recall 04V495000

Stuck-open throttle

Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 my 1998-99 a6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04v-495).the failure rate in the A4 and passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles.odi will continue to monitor the experience in t

Service Brakes, HydraulicPE02008 · opened Jan 2002, closed Jul 2002

Brake and clutch pedal bracket

Service Brakes, HydraulicEA00021 · opened Aug 2000, closed Mar 2002

Degraded braking in wet weather

There is no summary currently available

Electrical SystemPE00016 · opened Apr 2000, closed Aug 2000

Degraded braking wet weather condition

There is no summary currently available

Service Brakes, HydraulicRQ99008 · opened Jun 1999, closed Nov 2000Led to recall 99V131001

Power brake booster vacuum by-pass

There is no summary currently available

Other Audi A4 years

‹ Sell a 1997 A4 · Sell a 1999 A4 › · All Audi A4 years

Other 1998 Audi models

Selling a 1998 A4: questions

How much is a 1998 Audi A4 worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1998 A4 that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1998 A4s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1998 A4 with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 Audi A4; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 A4?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 1998 A4 today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer