The short answer
It depends on the model. Compact Audis such as the A3, Q2 and Q3 carry the battery in the engine bay. The A6, A7, A8 and Q5 carry it under the luggage compartment floor. The first-generation Q7 has it under a front seat. Cars with a hidden battery have jump-start posts under the bonnet.
Why is an Audi battery not always under the bonnet?
On larger Audis the engine bay is crowded, and the battery these cars need is big and heavy. Moving it to the back of the car frees space at the front and keeps it away from engine heat. The cost is access. A battery under the boot floor or under a seat takes more time to reach than one sitting in the open beside the engine.
Where is the battery on each Audi model?
The table below gives the usual position for each model family. Audi has changed positions between generations and between engine versions of the same car, so treat any row marked "usually" or "depending on version" as a starting point. We confirm the exact position for your car before we set off.
| Model | Usual battery location | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Engine bay on most versions, boot on some | We confirm by model year |
| A3 (8P, 8V, 8Y) | Engine bay | Quick access |
| Q2 and Q3 | Engine bay | Quick access |
| A4 and A5 (B8, B9) | Usually the luggage compartment, under the floor | We confirm by model year |
| A6 (C7) and A7 | Luggage compartment, under the floor near the spare wheel well | Boot has to be emptied |
| A8 (D4) | Luggage compartment, under the floor | Boot has to be emptied |
| Q5 (8R and FY) | Luggage compartment floor | Jump-start posts under the bonnet |
| Q7 first generation (4L, 2006-2015) | Under the front seat | Seat is moved or unbolted, so it takes longer |
| Q7 second generation (4M) and Q8 | Not in the engine bay: under the luggage floor or under a front seat, depending on version | We confirm from the chassis number |
| A6 and A7 (C8), A8 (D5) | Not in the engine bay: under the luggage floor or under a front seat, depending on version | We confirm from the chassis number |
| TT | First generation under the bonnet; second generation (2006-2014) in the boot on many versions | We confirm by model year |
| R8 | Front luggage compartment | Trim panels come out first |
| e-tron, Q8 e-tron and Q4 e-tron | 12V battery typically at the front, under the bonnet area | Separate from the high-voltage pack |
Which Audis have the battery in the boot?
The A6 C7 and A7 carry the battery under the luggage compartment floor, near the spare wheel well. The A8 D4 and both generations of the Q5 also keep it under the boot floor. The A4 and A5 in B8 and B9 form usually do the same. On these cars the boot has to be emptied and the floor panel lifted before the battery can come out.
Because the battery is out of reach at the back, these cars have jump-start posts in the engine bay: a positive post under a red cap and a marked earth point. You do not need to open the boot to jump start one.
Which Audis have the battery under a seat?
The first-generation Q7, sold from 2006 to 2015 and known as the 4L, has the battery under the front seat. The seat has to be moved or unbolted to get it out, so the job takes longer than on other Audis. Some versions of the second-generation Q7, the Q8 and the newer A6, A7 and A8 also place the battery under a front seat instead of under the luggage floor.
Where is the 12V battery on electric and plug-in hybrid Audis?
Electric Audis still have a normal 12V battery. On the e-tron and Q8 e-tron it is typically an AGM battery at the front of the car in the under-bonnet area, and on the Q4 e-tron it is typically at the front under the bonnet too. On plug-in hybrids badged TFSI e, the 12V battery position differs from the petrol version of the same model, so we check each one.
What size battery do these cars take?
Size follows the car. The figures below are typical ranges, not a fitting guide. The safest check is the label on the battery fitted now, which shows the case size, the capacity in Ah and the technology. Cars with a 48V mild hybrid system also have a separate 48V lithium-ion battery, but the one replaced in a normal battery call-out is the 12V one.
- Compact Audis: H5 or H6 case, around 60-72Ah
- A4, A5 and Q5: H6 or H7 case, around 70-80Ah
- A6, A7, A8, Q7 and Q8: H8 or H9 case, around 92-105Ah AGM
How do we confirm the location before we arrive?
Send us the model and year on WhatsApp, and the chassis number for newer cars. From that we confirm where the battery sits, which size and technology it takes, and whether a seat or trim has to come out. The technician then arrives with the right battery and tools. We cover Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah 24/7, usually reaching you in 20-35 minutes in Dubai.
