2.0 20V 130hp (ALT)
2004–2008 · petrol · 1984cc · 130hp
Engine codes: ALT
Reliability, common problems and owner reviews for the Audi A4 B6 / B7 2.0 20V 130hp (ALT). Check this before you buy used.
The naturally aspirated 2.0 20V (ALT) in the A4 B6/B7, A6 C5 and Passat B5.5. No turbo and no direct injection, so the expensive failure modes of the later TFSI are absent. The known complaint is oil use: owners report burning oil, and forum advice is to check the PCV system and valve-cover baffles first, because one 2002 A4 owner rebuilt the rings and valves and it still burned oil. In the A4 it was often paired with the Multitronic CVT, which is the bigger risk.
Same engine, other cars
This is the same physical engine (ALT) sold under different names across brands. Reliability is broadly shared — cross-check these:
Known Issues
Owners of ALT-engined A4s report oil burning. A single ring and valve rebuild on a 2002 A4 did not cure it, so the cause is not always the rings.
Fix / Workaround: Check the PCV system and valve-cover baffles first; measure consumption over 1,000 km before buying.
Front-drive A4 automatics use the Multitronic 01J CVT. Its control unit is a known failure on 2001–2007 A4/A6 (jerking, no drive, loss of reverse); a German workshop blames most defects on wrong fluid or long change intervals.
Fix / Workaround: Prefer the manual. On a CVT, ask for fluid changes with G 052 516 A2 and scan the gearbox.
Fault Codes to Scan
Pre-Purchase Checklist
- ☐Measure oil consumption
- ☐Check PCV hoses and valve-cover baffles
- ☐Manual gearbox preferred; on Multitronic check fluid history and codes
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi A4 B6 / B7 2.0 20V 130hp (ALT) reliable?
Maint. Sensitive — The naturally aspirated 2.0 20V (ALT) in the A4 B6/B7, A6 C5 and Passat B5.5. No turbo and no direct injection, so the expensive failure modes of the later TFSI are absent. The known complaint is oil use: owners report burning oil, and forum advice is to check the PCV system and valve-cover baffles first, because one 2002 A4 owner rebuilt the rings and valves and it still burned oil. In the A4 it was often paired with the Multitronic CVT, which is the bigger risk.
What are the common problems and reviews for the Audi A4 B6 / B7 2.0 20V 130hp (ALT)?
The most commonly reported problems: Oil consumption, Multitronic 01J pairing.
Is a used Audi A4 B6 / B7 2.0 20V 130hp (ALT) worth buying?
Fine if serviced correctly — but it punishes neglect hard. History and the right consumables matter.