2013 Audi A7

The headline news on this car is that it is a Japanese import, having been delivered new to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2013.

Now then.

What exactly does that news tell you?

Firstly, it tells you that this car will have experienced the pampered and fastidiously curated existence enjoyed by nearly all prestigious, luxury Japanese imports.

It may be something of a cliché to talk about the value of ‘honour’ in Japanese society and culture. But it’s no exaggeration to say that this tradition is alive and well even in the Japanese motor trade, where there is no place for Trotter-san or Daley-san.

This is a world in which mechanics are assiduously diligent in their work, dealers are scrupulously honest in their valuations, and owners take obsessive levels of pride in the care and attention they lavish upon their expensive European cars.

Secondly, it tells you that the car has spent its life in a country where salt is thrown over the shoulders of sumo wrestlers, not chucked all over the roads with reckless abandon like it is in the UK.

Ergo, Japanese cars are nearly always free of the sort of corrosion issues that routinely affect cars in the UK and elsewhere.

All of which good news goes a long way to explaining the excellent dynamic and mechanical condition of this car.

Of course, the other element that’s clearly played a role in keeping it so well-preserved is a very modest mileage of just 68,000, or an average of just over 5,000 per year over the course of its life.

We have driven the car and can attest to the fact that it goes about its business with plenty of confidence-inspiring capability and competence.

It is also reassuringly free of any extraneous creaks, sighs, groans, rattles or squeaks of note.

In general, the car presents very well indeed and is a fine example of the model, whether appraised against either its mileage or its age.

It is an ‘S Line’ spec car, so it gets some cooler trim, better tech and generally ups its game aesthetically.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are consistent and even and the bodywork is largely free of any aberrations worth mentioning.

But it’s our job to find things to moan about and here’s what we’ve come up with after a forensic look around the exterior.

There’s a very small dent low down on the n/s/f wing; a scuff under the handle on the front, passenger-side door; a little damage to the front edge of the n/s/f sill; a few paint chips to the edge of the lifting spoiler above the tailgate; some stone chips to the front bumper and front grille; a scuff on the nearside wing mirror housing; a stone chip on the offside front edge of the roof; and evidence of overspray on both rear wings (you can see it in the door-jambs) and in a section at the rear of the roof, which our vendor informs us is due to some paintwork having to be carried out as a result of a parking mishap to the bumper/edge of the rear quarter. For transparency we have included a picture of the damage in our gallery.  

The wheels have been introduced to kerbs or other roadside obstacles at all four corners and there are, accordingly, a few scuffs in evidence.

From what we can see, the badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in very good condition.

The interior of the car is really very good indeed and Audi’s hallmark quality is still present, apparent and impressive.

In fact, the condition of the interior belies its 13 years of life as much as it belies the reading on the odometer.

The black leather upholstery has little more than a few light creases here and there to show for its years of service and the seats, front and back, are as comfortable as they are supportive.

The black carpets and A7-branded mats are following the same script in terms of quality, condition and preservation, as are the door cards and headlining.

There are one of two light scratches to the shiny black plastic just ahead of the gear selector and the leather atop the gear selector has a few scuffs to it.

As far as we’re aware, all dials, gauges, screens, buttons, switches and knobs do what they’re supposed to do without delay or recalcitrance.

We noticed some sort of mounting bracket with an adhesive pad at the top of the footwell beneath the steering wheel.

No, we don’t know what’s it’s for.

The boot, you won’t be remotely shocked to learn, is more or less pristine and doesn’t look as if it’s ever been called upon to do any heavy lifting or haulage.

There’s not much to see under the cowls and covers in a modern engine bay, but everything looks clean and dry to us.

The car’s undersides are also shrouded by covers and cowls, but everything we can see appears to possess plenty of structural integrity, and nothing we’ve spotted has given us any cause to frown, shake our heads or tut.

The car comes with a full and comprehensive Audi service history, but you may need to brush up on your Japanese language skills if you’re going to fully understand the contents. So please note you might want to book in a service when you get your hands on the car.

The car did however have a UK service quite recently, at 62,981 miles - in May 2024.

It comes with its original manuals and handbooks, 1 key, a V5C, and a clear HPI report.

One or two minor cosmetic issues aside, it’s really very hard to find fault with this excellent Audi A7.

It was built properly by Audi in the first place, and it’s evidently been looked-after properly by its Japanese owners/curators ever since.

We like it a lot, and we’re happy to report that our consistently high opinion of quality Japanese imports remains undiminished.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £7,000 - £10,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.