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Which Years Of Used Audi A3s Are Most Reliable?


in Reliability
White Audi A3 in a field
Source: Pixabay

The Audi A3 is a subcompact executive/small family car, an option that had been on the market for almost two decades. It’s had plenty of successes, but a good number of failures during its lifespan. If you’re interested in purchasing an Audi A3 for yourself, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Audi A3 year available for purchase?

Reliability matters in a vehicle, especially if you want to keep money and time on your side. With decades of the Audi A3 available, it can feel impossible to make the right selection - which is where we step in. 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. 

Most Reliable Years For The Audi A3

The Audi A3 is a family classic that has stood the test of time, outlasting many other Audi selections. It offers a sleek design and a fun driving experience. We’ve pulled together a few of our top choices from the Audi A3 lineup, determining which are the most dependable years available for the vehicle.

Here are the best years so far for the Audi A3:

  • 2013 Audi A3
  • 2019 Audi A3
  • 2020 Audi A3
  • 2022 Audi A3

If you’re hunting for the most reliable Audi A3 year, these four provide an excellent used driving experience no matter what you need the car for in your life.

It’s always better to keep more money in your pocket when purchasing a car to prepare yourself for the future and potential unexpected costs. These will ensure you have money to fall on if you run into trouble.


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Are Audi A3s Generally Reliable?

There are some quality years available for the Audi A3. However, they don’t speak for the Audi A3 overall. What does the general reliability look like when examining all years? Is the Audi A3 worth your time?

According to withclutch.com, the Audi A3 scores 51 in reliability which does not make it dependable. The standard is 54, and the A3 comes in far below that number. According to carparts.com, the Audi A3 scores 3.55, which puts it in decent standing. It has mixed reviews from many drivers and quality review sites.

The Audi A3 isn’t very reliable overall, conjuring a mixed back from professionals. It’s critical to be careful if selecting a year from this car.

Which Audi A3 Years Are The Least Reliable?

There are many quality choices for the Audi A3, but there are others that are less than ideal. Let’s discuss these to help you make the best choice for your next luxury vehicle.

Here are the worst years available for the Audi A3:

  • 2006 Audi A3
  • 2015 Audi A3
  • 2016 Audi A3


If you’re searching for the most reliable Audi A3 year, these three should be at the bottom of your list when picking out your used option.

These years had the most customer complaints and garnered many reported troubles from drivers during their time on the road. A few of the most common failures included a start-stop system malfunction, a misfiring engine, and faulty airbags to name a few. These years might be available for cheaper, but they aren’t worth the saved money.


THE AUDI A3 YEARS TO AVOID

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.


Are Audi A3s Expensive To Maintain?

According to repairpal.com, the annual cost of repairs on an Audi A3 is $741. This number is below the average of $801 for luxury compact vehicles and higher than the $652 average for all cars.

Chances are low that you will need to bring in your Audi A3 for sudden repairs often. However, if you do, there is a higher chance the issue you encounter will be severe.

Ensure you perform regular maintenance and care on your Audi A3 to keep overall costs down. The better you care for your Audi A3 now, the longer it will last and the less it will cost to maintain. 

Which Audi Is Most Reliable?

Maybe you’re determined to purchase an Audi but want to buy the most reliable choice from the brand. There are several excellent choices, and the Audi A3 makes the top of the list.

According to carvertical.com, here are the most reliable Audis available:

  • Audi A3
  • Audi A4
  • Audi A6

These are the best under the Audi name.

 If you want a dependable car, you can safely pick the Audi A3 and know there is a reliable year there for you. You can also select the A4 and A6 and feel confident in your selection. These years soar above the rest.

What Are The Most Common Audi A3 Problems?

Several issues will appear across all years of the Audi A3, good and bad. It’s helpful to know what you should anticipate before buying.

According to haynes.com, here are the most common Audi A3 issues:

  • Noisy front suspension
  • Grinding sound from the steering
  • Air-conditioning prone to sudden failure

Watch for these if you have an Audi A3.

These might come to life in the best or worst years for the Audi A3. However, they are most likely to appear in the least reliable Audi A3 selections.


THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET

When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.


Is The Audi A3 Worth It?

If you don’t mind being picky and going with the best years available, the Audi A3 is an excellent vehicle. It’s worth your money and will provide a quality ride on the road every single time.

There are some years of the Audi A3 you should avoid at all costs. However, if you stick with the best, you will experience a smooth time behind the wheel and minimal maintenance costs on your luxury car.

Final Thoughts

The Audi A3 is an excellent choice if you want an affordable used luxury vehicle. We recommend the 2013, 2019, 2020, or 2022 selections if you want the best value. 

We hope this information is beneficial! It’s critical to make the best choice with a luxury car, so our knowledge should make the process much easier by narrowing down the top contenders.



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