The Audi A3 Years To Avoid
We've identified three Audi A3 years to avoid by looking at commonly-reported issues. Read on to learn which years and which Audi A3 models are considered reliable so you can make the best purchasing decision.
![White Audi A3](/uploads/12074962025_06d769f54d_c.webp)
The Audi A3 is a sleek luxury car offering excellent performance and high-class features for those behind the wheel. It looks incredible and drives well, too. However, before investing in the vehicle, you must know which model year to purchase. In that case, you must know the Audi A3 years to avoid.
If you’re looking to learn more about the worst of the Audi A3 years, you’ve come to the right place. The more you know about this vehicle, the easier it will be to avoid selections that will cost ample time and money. Keep reading to learn more about some of the years to keep away from in the Audi A3, the best selections, and other information.
Quick Answer: Avoid Audi A3 Year Models 2006, 2015, and 2016.
When considering the Audi A3 years to avoid, the majority of them are okay. However, we recommend refraining from selections like the 2006, 2015, and 2016 years. They have the most issues by far and will cost far more time and money for the individual than is worth it.
Which Year Models of Audi A3 are Safe to Buy Used?
Several years of the Audi A3 aren’t ideal to invest in used. However, there are even more selections that are perfectly safe to purchase. Let’s discuss some of the best possible choices for the used Audi A3.
The top choices for the Audi A3 include the following:
- 2013 Audi A3
- 2019 Audi A3
- 2020 Audi A3
- 2022 Audi A3
These have an incredible ability to perform on the road.
These years aren’t absent from issues, but they have far less than other model years from the Audi A3. With proper maintenance, these will save significant money for the responsible owner of the Audi A3.
OTHER CAR SHOPPING APPS ARE OUTDATED
You won’t realize how outdated other car searching apps are until you try the CoPilot car shopping app. CoPilot does the hard work for you by searching all of the listings in your area and intelligently creating a personalized list of the best buys in the area that match what you’re looking for.
Which Year Models of Audi A3 to Avoid:
There are several excellent versions of the Audi A3, but there are also several selections to avoid. We recommend keeping these at a distance if you want the most bang for your buck.
Here are the worst selections available for the Audi A3:
- 2006 Audi A3
- 2015 Audi A3
- 2016 Audi A3
These are the least practical choices for the frugal car owner.
Of these selections, the worst year for the Audi A3 is the 2015 version. It proved the most problematic with issues like excessive oil consumption, the engine dying while driving, and sudden loss of power on the road. These all originate in the engine, which means an expensive repair process.
Common Audi A3 Problems
Whether you purchase one of the best or worst years for the Audi A3, there will be issues in the system. These vary depending on the model years, but these are frequent flyers across all Audi A3 selections.
According to repairpal.com, here are some of the most common issues with the Audi A3:
- Throttle system fault leading to loss of power
- Failure of ignition coils
- Check engine light appears
These are some of the worst faults of the Audi A3.
These are some of the worst and most common troubles you will find inside the Audi A3. They are most likely to make themselves known in versions of the Audi A3 with poor care and maintenance from previous owners, so ensure you care for your vehicle or purchase a used one with someone who loved it in the past.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE AUDI A3
Read on to learn more about the most reliable Audi A3 year, the least reliable choices, and other critical information you should know before purchase.
Audi A3 Problem Counts by Year
When checking out the Audi A3 years to avoid, it’s helpful to understand the opinions of the owners of the vehicle. One of the best places to check is car complaints, as they will reveal underlying issues with the system.
According to carcomplaints.com, here are the Audi A3 issue counts when looking at a few years:
** **
Are Audi A3s typically reliable?
Although there are some weak points, the Audi A3 is typically a dependable vehicle. According to whatcar.com, the Audi A3 ranks 15 out of 29 vehicles and scores around 91% in dependability.
There is some room for improvement with the Audi A3. However, owners can expect it to typically be a reliable selection on the market.
How much does a used Audi A3 typically cost?
When considering the Audi A3 years to avoid, it’s also helpful to check out the cost of investing in one for your life. How much is the Audi A3?
For the newest iteration of the Audi A3, it will cost around $35,800 for the base selection. For a used iteration of the vehicle, the price can be as low as $14,000.
Is the Audi A3 a good car to purchase?
We talked about several years of the Audi A3 that are an excellent investment. That leaves one final question - is it worth it to invest in the Audi A3?
As long as you stick with the best years of the Audi A3, it’s perfectly fine to purchase it. It’s a solid vehicle that should stand the test of time with excellent maintenance.
FAQs: Audi A3 Years to Avoid
Q: Which Audi A3 years should I avoid?
Keep away from the 2006, 2015, and 2016 iterations of the Audi A3. They have the worst track record on the road.
Q: Did any of the Audi A3 years to avoid have other significant issues?
One of the worst issues in various Audi A3 years is in the engine. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for various issues in this area for the best results.
Q: Are newer Audi A3 models more reliable?
Much of the newer Audi A3 selections are more dependable. We recommend them instead of the older ones.
Q: Is the Audi A3 a good car to purchase?
There are some areas where the Audi A3 is a struggle. However, for the most part, the vehicle is an excellent car to purchase.
HOW LONG DO AUDI A3s LAST?
The Audi A3 is a compact luxury car that delivers a fun driving experience and top-notch technology features. How long do Audi A3s last?
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.