Whenever we get a car up on the ramp that's spent a few years on Bulgarian roads, I see pretty much the same thing. The paint along the sills and the front of the rear wheel arches is covered in tiny stone chips. It looks like someone's been at it with sandpaper. In places, you can already see bare metal. And the owner hasn't even noticed because it's all so low down and hard to spot. But rust won't ignore it just because you haven't seen it.
Why do stones damage the paint along your sills?
Your front tyres pick up everything from the road – sand, small stones, salt and mud – and throw it straight at the sills and the front of the rear wheel arches. Winter is the worst because the roads are covered in grit and salt. But summer isn't much better, especially on country roads or near building sites. Year after year, it's like someone's sandblasting your paintwork. Until eventually there's hardly any paint left.
How do Audi mud flaps protect your paintwork?
A mud flap catches a lot of that sand and those little stones just behind the wheel, before they can hit the sill. Instead of hitting your paintwork, they hit the mud flap. Simple as that. There's another nice bonus too – the back of your car stays cleaner, and the driver behind you doesn't get showered with everything your tyres pick up from the road.
Genuine or universal mud flaps?
With universal mud flaps, fitting often means getting the drill out, making a few holes and putting screws wherever they'll fit. The trouble is, every new hole in the metal is another place where rust can start. Genuine mud flaps made for your model use the mounting points the factory has already provided. They follow the shape of the wheel arch and bumper, don't stick out awkwardly and don't get in your way when you're washing the car. And the best bit? No extra drilling.
Don't drill into your wheel arch just to fit a universal mud flap. If that hole isn't properly treated and sealed, rust could start there after just one winter.
What if my Audi has S line?
That matters. A lot, actually. On many Audi models, the bumpers and sills have a different shape with the S line exterior package. So the genuine mud flaps are different for cars with and without S line too. Not sure which ones fit your Audi? Just send us your VIN. We'll check exactly which ones you need.
Is it worth fitting mud flaps to your Audi?
If you often drive out of town, use country roads, head to your holiday home or go skiing, I'd recommend fitting them. A set of mud flaps costs less than having just one sill repainted. And if stones have already chipped your paintwork, touch up those chips with genuine touch-up paint before fitting the mud flaps. I've shown you how to do that in my article on repairing stone chips with genuine touch-up paint. Don't wait for the rust to start.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: Next time you wash your car, crouch down and take a good look at the sill and the front of the rear wheel arch, right around wheel height. If the paint is already wearing thin or you can see tiny stone chips, think about fitting mud flaps. Five minutes spent fitting them could save your paintwork from years of wear and damage.
I want the sills on your Audi to stay solid and rust-free for many years to come. If this article has helped you, send it to a friend too. You might save them a nasty surprise the next time their car goes up on a workshop ramp.
Audi mud flaps in our shop
Front mud flaps for Audi A4 Saloon / A4 Avant (2020–2025)
Genuine front mud flaps for Audi A4 Saloon and Avant (2020–2025).
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Rear mud flaps for Audi A4 Saloon / A4 Avant (2020–2025), without S line exterior
Genuine rear mud flaps for Audi A4 Saloon and Avant (2020–2025), without S line exterior.
View in our shop
Front mud flaps for Audi A3 Sportback (2021–2026), A3 allstreet (2025–2026), A3 Saloon (2021–2026)
Genuine front mud flaps for Audi A3 Sportback and Saloon from 2021 onwards.
View in our shop
Rear mud flaps for Audi A6 Saloon / A6 Avant (2019–2025), without S line exterior
Genuine rear mud flaps for Audi A6 Saloon and Avant (2019–2025), without S line exterior.
View in our shopRead more
- All mud flaps by model
- Bodywork and paint repair services
- Stone chips after winter: how to repair them with genuine touch-up paint
- Rubber or carpet car mats: which protect better against salt and water?
- How to wash your car after winter without scratching the paint
- Road salt and your car's underside: how to protect it in winter
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need mud flaps on my Audi?
To protect the sills and rear wheel arches from sand and small stones thrown up by your tyres. That means fewer chips in the paintwork and less chance of rust.
Do I need to drill holes to fit genuine Audi mud flaps?
No. Genuine Audi mud flaps use the mounting points and holes already provided by the factory. There's no need to drill anything.
Are Audi mud flaps the same for cars with and without S line?
No. On many Audi models, the mud flaps are different depending on whether your car has the S line exterior package.