Audi vs BMW vs Mercedes: Models, Reliability and Warranty Compared
Germany's big three premium brands have all reshuffled their ranges recently – we compare the current Audi, Mercedes and BMW line-ups to help you pick the right one.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 28 September 2026 | 9 mins read
Back in the 1990s, Audi, Mercedes and BMW were the brands you went to if you wanted prestige, class and comfort.
However, fast forward a few decades and all three brands have become a common sight on Britain’s roads.
With competitive used prices, an increase in standard equipment and more models available than ever before, have these German executive brands' bubbles finally burst?
Well, to find out, in this article we’ve put all three of the car makers back-to-back in an Audi vs Mercedes vs BMW test to find out which one makes the best cars. The good news is that you'll find examples of all three manufacturers on sale here at Cazoo.
We've checked this comparison directly against Audi, Mercedes and BMW's current UK model configurators and official specifications, including recent naming changes, brand-new models and discontinued ones, to make sure every model and figure here is accurate and up to date.
Audi
Audi was founded in 1909, however, it was bought out by Volkswagen in 1966 after the company agreed that the German umbrella giant would help further expand the firm.
Audis have become a status symbol for those who want a Volkswagen with a more prestigious image, and for the last three decades, it has been churning out some of the most premium hatchbacks and saloons on the market.
Models available
The entry-level Audi A1 and its Q2 SUV sibling are both in their final year, with Audi clearing remaining stock rather than building new ones. Their effective successor is the newly revealed Audi A2 e-tron, a fully electric small car reviving the A2 name with a claimed range of over 400 miles and prices starting from around £32,200 – a reminder that Audi's cheapest cars are getting pricier as the range goes electric-only at the entry point. From there, Audi's saloon and estate line-up runs through the A6, plus the A5 – the model that replaced the previous A4 in 2025 as part of Audi's move to reserve odd numbers for petrol, diesel and hybrid models and keep even numbers free for future electric cars. The larger A7 and its S7 and RS7 performance versions have been discontinued for 2026.
Its SUV range covers the Q3, Q5, Q7 and Q8, all very popular choices here in the UK, and has just gained a new flagship above them all: the Audi Q9. Available to order since the end of August 2026, the Q9 is the largest Audi ever built at 5.31 metres long, seating seven as standard (or six, with individual business-class-style middle seats as an option). At launch it's offered with a single 295bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel mild-hybrid engine and quattro four-wheel drive.
Audi's electric range has also grown, now spanning the new A2 e-tron, the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, the Q6 e-tron and Q6 Sportback e-tron (plus faster SQ6 versions), the A6 e-tron Avant and Sportback (plus S6 e-tron performance versions), the Q8 e-tron, and the e-tron GT four-door coupe (with S and RS e-tron GT performance derivatives). Expect the 'e-tron' suffix to gradually disappear from future electric Audis as the new odd/even naming system rolls out. Audi has also unveiled a new high-performance hybrid halo model called the Nuvolari, though this is a low-volume showcase rather than something most buyers will be cross-shopping.
Then, for the performance buyer, you have the 'S' and 'RS' range, which turns the traditional family hatchbacks, estates and saloons into rocket ships with the S3, RS3, S5 (which replaced the S4 when the A4 became the A5), S6 e-tron, RS5, RS e-tron and RS Q8.
Trim levels
The entry-level point in the Audi range is the 'Sport' variation, which includes features such as heated front seats, a virtual cockpit display, rear parking sensors and Audi's MMI infotainment display.
One of the most popular trim levels is the S-Line as it offers the consumer not just the same generous equipment levels of the Sport, but it benefits from sportier exterior and interior enhancements such as S-Line badging, larger alloy wheels, sports suspensions and sports seats. Our guide to Audi's S-Line trim goes into more detail on whether it's worth paying extra for.
One of the key trim levels in the Audi range is the Black Edition which gives you extras such as black door mirrors, black surrounds on the front grille and bumpers and black diamond cut alloy wheels.
Reliability
All Audis, when new, come with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, which reassures the consumer with peace of mind. That mileage cap is worth noting, since both Mercedes and BMW currently offer three years of unlimited-mileage cover – see our guide to car warranties for more on how manufacturer cover compares.
Audi's reliability record has come on leaps and bounds over the years, with older models suffering with electrical faults and high repair costs. However, the latest models have proven to be reliable cars with almost all of the firm's cars scoring well when it comes to durability.
Mercedes
It’s the world’s oldest vehicle manufacturer, having invented the car back in 1886, and over the years was known as one of the most prestigious brands in the world.
With its pioneering history of safe, solid and dependable models, the three-pointed star emblem was the go-to choice if you wanted a car that could do everything and had a classless image.
The latest Mercedes line-up has come a long way from those models of yesteryear, offering an eclectic mix of hatchbacks, saloons, estates, EVs, SUVs and from its performance division, AMG.
Models available
Mercedes' vehicle line-up comprises the A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, G-Class, S-Class, CLA, GLA, GLB, GLC, CLE, GLE and GLS. The B-Class is still clinging on for now, but Mercedes has confirmed it's shifting focus towards higher-end, more profitable models, and there's no replacement lined up once the current B-Class reaches the end of its life.
Mercedes' electric range has been in flux. The old separate 'EQ' badge is being phased out – the EQB was quietly discontinued in late 2025 in favour of an all-new electric GLB, the EQA was retired in mid-2026 in favour of an electric version of the GLA, and the EQC was discontinued before either of those. Mercedes has also confirmed the EQE saloon and SUV will end production in 2026 without a direct replacement (a fully electric version of the next E-Class is expected further down the line), and has said a future electric S-Class will eventually replace the EQS and EQS SUV too, though both continue on sale for now. The electric G-Class is sold as the G 580 with EQ Technology rather than under a separate EQ name, and newer electric models, including the latest CLA, simply carry their regular model names with 'EQ Technology' added, rather than a standalone EQ badge.
Trim levels
Mercedes offers a fair number of trim levels, and the entry point now depends on the model. The old 'SE' grade has been dropped, and on models like the A-Class and GLA the range now starts with Sport Edition, which includes features such as alloy wheels, climate control and a basic infotainment system.
On more of Mercedes' core models, including the C-Class and GLC, there's no non-AMG trim at all any more – AMG Line is now the standard specification you start from, bringing sportier bumpers, larger alloy wheels and an AMG-styled interior as standard rather than an optional upgrade.
Above the entry point, Sport Executive and AMG Line Executive trims add extras such as Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system, privacy glass and front parking sensors, depending on the model.
Move higher up the range and you'll find AMG Line Premium, which typically adds a panoramic sunroof and an upgraded infotainment screen.
Most flagship trim levels in the Mercedes range will be the AMG Line Premium Plus which will give you a panoramic glass roof, LED headlights and plusher interior upholstery. Our guide to AMG Line trim explains what you actually get for the extra cost.
Reliability
Old Mercedes cars were some of the most solidly made and dependable ever to be produced. However, the company began to take a dip in the 2000s with the quality of its cars, with trim pieces breaking and electrical issues becoming a common problem.
But, fast forward to the present range of models and the quality has improved drastically with all Mercedes' scoring well for reliability. The only issues would be the repair costs as parts and labour rates are higher with premium brands. Like BMW, Mercedes currently backs every new car with three years of unlimited-mileage warranty cover, a notch above Audi's mileage-capped equivalent.
BMW
BMW was founded in 1916 and began its life as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. However, in 1928 the company turned from the aeronautical industry and became a maker of cars – with it producing its first passenger vehicles in the 1930s.
The company has become well known for producing some of the best driving cars on the road, and has a rich heritage of success in motorsport.
Also, with its famous ‘M’ division, the BMW brand has become a status symbol for British buyers.
Models available
Just like with Audi and Mercedes, BMW offers an extensive number of models in its current vehicle line-up.
The standard range of cars is the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series. BMW's 6 Series was axed some years back, and more recently the flagship 8 Series (along with its high-performance M8 sibling) also ended production, leaving the 4 Series as BMW's sportiest two-door option and the 7 Series as its range-topping saloon.
Its range of SUVs starts with the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 and then you have the electric range of cars being the iX, iX1, iX2, iX3, i4, i5 and i7.
And, we can't ignore the M cars with the M2, M3, M4, M5 and XM, not to mention the range of M Sport and M models, which gives more power and beefier looks than their standard counterparts, without the higher price tags of the full fat 'M' versions.
Trim levels
BMW's trim levels are easy to digest as the range now starts off with Sport, which has replaced the old SE grade as the entry point across BMW's current model generations. Sport trim gets you features such as a colour infotainment display, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and rear parking sensors.
On SUV models, there's also an xLine trim above Sport, which adds larger alloy wheels and a more rugged, off-road-inspired look for those who don't want the sportier M Sport styling.
However, the most popular trim level you'll find on a BMW is the M Sport. This is because it gives you a lot of design cues inside and out from the M division cars, such as 'M' badging, leather seats and M Sport tyres and wheels, all to improve the appearance. Many models also offer an even higher M Sport Pro grade, which adds larger alloys, darkened exterior trim and uprated brakes for those who want to go further still. Our guide to BMW M Sport trim covers exactly what's included and whether it's worth the extra outlay.
Reliability
BMW tends to score very highly when it comes to reliability, having proven to be more durable than Audi and Mercedes.
However, still being a premium brand means that if something does go wrong, it will cost more to put right as part costs are usually higher. BMW backs this up with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty as standard, matching Mercedes and going a step further than Audi's mileage-capped cover.
Which one is best?
To sum up, all three of these premium German brands have proved to be extremely popular here in the UK.
All of them produce an extensive number of different models, while offering a wide range of petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains. All three brands are also in the middle of reshuffling their ranges, dropping smaller, less profitable models and rethinking how their electric cars are named, so it's worth double-checking exactly what you're looking at if you're comparing a newer model against an older one on the used market. Even better news is that you'll find cars from BMW, Mercedes and Audi here at Cazoo.
If you're weighing up a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric model from any of these three brands, our guide to hybrid, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars can help you decide which type suits you best, and our guide to the best small German cars is worth a look if you've been priced out of the models covered here.