Used Audi A3 for sale: everything you need to know
The fourth-generation Audi A3 launched in 2020, in a lineage stretching back to the original A3 of 1996. The playbook is the same as ever though: the same kind of size, practicality, and running costs as more prosaic family hatchbacks (and, in the case of the last couple of A3s, a saloon version too), but with Audi standards of quality and desirability.
As such, the current A3 still feels a step above a lot of other cars in this class, while a wide range of engines gives both new and used buyers plenty of options. A premium car usually means a premium price tag, but that’s where finding a used A3 comes in - if you don’t need the very latest registration on your driveway, then buying an A3 that’s a year or two old can save you quite a lot of money.
Should you buy an Audi A3?
The Audi A3 has been one of the most desirable family hatchbacks around ever since the first model arrived in the 1990s, and that hasn’t changed more than quarter of a century on. In purely pragmatic terms there’s little reason to choose an A3 over the Volkswagen Golf it shares a platform with, but for some the extra money will be worth it to put that four-ringed badge on the driveway.
Like its siblings from VW, SEAT, and Skoda, the current A3 features a cabin design which puts quite a bit of emphasis on controlling things through a touchscreen, which won’t be to all tastes, while seasoned A3 buyers may find the touch controls for the headlights less intuitive than the old rotary dial too. But in most respects this is a well-built, usable, and spacious cabin, and the boot is a decent size too.
Audi offers a choice of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid power in the A3, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, but even the least powerful petrol gets down the road quite nicely, while the A3’s ride and handling is more than acceptable - though the ride does deteriorate on larger wheel options. Refinement is excellent though.
The A3’s key rivals are the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, each of which is of similar size and offers a similarly broad engine lineup. The BMW still has the edge for driving fun (despite losing the older 1 Series’ unique selling point of rear-wheel drive), while the Mercedes has the more novel cabin design. Premium models aren’t your only options though - the VW Golf is still a great choice in this class, and for a premium feel but less chance of parking next to one at the supermarket, the Mazda 3 is also worth a look.
What’s the best used Audi A3 model to buy?
There’s no hardship in sticking with the basic trim level in the A3, which means Technik for earlier cars and Sport for later ones - it’s a well-equipped car even in standard form, including everything from a Virtual Cockpit driver display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen, to cruise control, parking sensors, and LED headlights. These lower-trim models also have smaller wheels, which aren’t as stylish but do help the ride quality.
Of the engines, the 30 TFSI is peppy for only being a 1-litre unit, but if you can spare the extra cash, the 1.5-litre 35 TFSI is probably a better starting point, with similar on-paper economy to the 1-litre but significantly better performance. For maximum economy, the TFSI e models make sense if you have somewhere to plug in, and the 35 TDI is the best option if you don’t. Remember there’s a saloon variant, too - it’s a stylish device, but the hatchback is more practical.
Used Audi A3 fuel economy and performance
- Audi A3 30 TFSI: The A3 range starts with a 1-litre, 110PS three-cylinder petrol turbo. It’s not a big engine but still gets to 62mph in 10.6 seconds, while economy is up to 55.4mpg with the seven-speed S Tronic automatic (and 50.4mpg with a six-speed manual).
- Audi A3 35 TFSI: Go up to the 35 TFSI and the engine size increases to 1.5 litres, and four cylinders. Power is 150PS, good for an 8.7-second 0-62mph time, with 54.3mpg economy in auto form and 50.4mpg as a manual.
- Audi A3 40 TFSI e: With a battery pack and larger motor helping out, the 1.4-litre turbo petrol in the 40 TFSI e makes 204PS, and gets from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. Combined economy, helped by limited EV range, is 256.8mpg.
- Audi A3 45 TFSI e: The 45 TFSI e gets the same petrol and electric motor combination but with more power, now 245PS. 0-62mph drops to 6.8 seconds, and economy is quoted at 217.3mpg.
- Audi A3 35 TDI: As of 2022 the sole diesel A3 is a 150PS 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. 0-62mph takes 8.3 seconds, and combined economy is up to 61.4mpg.
What used Audi A3 trim levels are available?
Below is a selection of trim levels you’re likely to find on the used market, though later cars feature a different lineup, starting with Sport, going through S Line, and currently ending with Black Edition, with the usual gloss black exterior pack seen on similar models across the Audi range.
- The Audi A3 Technik is where the range starts, and comes with several of the petrol and diesel engines mentioned above.
- The Audi A3 Sport gets improvements to its equipment levels, plus a few sporty touches to the exterior styling.
- The Audi A3 S Line is an even sportier model with styling inspired by the S3 and RS3, as well as sports suspension and larger wheels, and more equipment inside too.
- The Audi A3 Edition 1 is a special edition launch model with most of the option boxes already ticked.
Used Audi A3 dimensions and boot size
The Audi A3’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4343mm
- Width: 1816mm
- Height: 1425mm
- Ground clearance: 141mm
The Audi A3’s boot size is:
- 380 litres for the Sportback
- 1200 litres with rear seats folded
Used Audi A3 road tax
Conventional petrol and diesel A3s are subject to a £190 annual VED bill for the 2024/2025 tax year, provided they cost below the £40,000 threshold - models that cost more than this when new (mainly the S3 and RS3, which we’ve covered in detail elsewhere) are bumped up to £600 a year until their seventh year on the road. The plug-in hybrid A3s get a discount of £10 per year, whether or not the surcharge is applied.
How much is it to insure an Audi A3?
The Audi A3 starts at insurance group 18 for a 30 TFSI Sport, and rises all the way up to group 46 for the five-cylinder RS3 hot hatch. These numbers are pretty typical for a premium hatchback - the BMW 1 Series spans groups 16 to 28, and the equivalent sporty model, the BMW M2, is in group 42.
