Used Audi A3 (Mk4, 2020-date) buyer’s guide: a classy used hatchback

Verdict

The Audi A3 has always been a class act, and the Mk4 is no different, whichever powertrain or trim level you choose. It’s not the best value in its class, nor the most exciting to drive, but it’s a pretty safe choice. Buy one and you won’t lose your shirt on it at resale time, while the efficient engines mean fuel bills won’t be too steep, although running costs can be high elsewhere, such as for dealer servicing. In short, the A3 should be painless to own, but you pay a premium to buy and run it. And as long as you go into ownership knowing that, the chances are that you won’t be disappointed.

Taking a car brand upmarket can be tricky, but moving a premium brand into mass-market territory can often be more successful. Just ask Audi, who almost three decades ago introduced a compact hatchback with all of the quality and technology of its bigger models, but in a more affordable and accessible package. 

For years, having an Audi on the driveway had been the preserve of the relatively wealthy, but now Volkswagen Golf buyers could stretch themselves a bit and buy into a posher badge. Since then, the widening of the A3 range to encompass sportier models and the addition of a saloon option has only increased the model’s appeal.

History

The A3 Mk4 arrived in March 2020, just as Covid-19 struck. Whereas previous A3s were available in three-door form, the Mk4 came as a five-door Sportback model only, with 1.5 TFSI petrol or 2.0 TDI diesel engines, both with 148bhp. A 1.5 TFSI mild hybrid and a 109bhp 1.0 TFSI petrol engine were soon available, plus a saloon with the same powerplants. 

By autumn 2020 the 306bhp S3 saloon and hatch were on sale, then in early 2021 the 201bhp 40 TFSI e and 241bhp 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrids joined the range. For those wanting even more, the 395bhp RS 3 hatch and saloon appeared in autumn 2021.

On the road

Like most Audis, the A3 isn’t a car that you buy for driving thrills, but it’s enjoyable, with a pragmatic balance between ride comfort and sharp handling; excellent refinement makes long-distance journeys a breeze. Buy further up the range and you get more sophisticated rear suspension, while all A3s have Drive Select, so the steering feel and throttle response can be adjusted, along with the shift points for the automatic transmission, if fitted.

Which should I buy?

There are no poor choices of engine or transmission, although the 1.0 TFSI feels a bit underwhelming. The 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI engines were offered with quattro four-wheel drive and an auto gearbox, but these are very rare. 

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All A3s have digital instruments, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, navigation, LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels and a wide-ranging driver-assistance package. Sport editions have 17-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control and leather trim, while S line brings 18-inch alloys, sport seats and suspension, privacy glass and LED rear lights. The range-topping Vorsprung models come with Alcantara and leather trim, electric front-seat adjustment, ambient lighting, 19-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, a Bang & Olufsen hi-fi, and more driver aids.

Alternatives to the Audi A3 Mk4

When we tested a DS4 plug-in hybrid against an A3, the French car won, thanks to its impressive build quality, generous equipment, higher comfort levels and slick powertrain. In a separate test, the Mercedes A-Class came out ahead of the DS4 thanks to its superb mild-hybrid powertrain, high-tech cabin and superlative build quality, plus finance payments that the DS couldn’t compete with. As a used buy, the DS appeals even more. 

You also need to put the BMW 1 Series on your shortlist, along with Volkswagen’s Golf and its cousins, the Cupra Leon and SEAT Leon. We’d also be inclined to think about the Peugeot 308, which isn’t quite as premium, but it’s still a cracking small family hatchback that’s well worth a look.

What to look for

Common glitches

The most common complaint among owners is electronics, although this is normally due to software problems rather than a component failing.

Kit inspection

Some A3s came without kit that should have been standard, due to the recent chip shortage. Wireless phone charging and ambient lighting are typical omissions.

Minimum cover

In a world with five and seven-year warranties offering up to 100,000 miles’ cover, it’s disappointing that the A3 has just three years’ cover from new, capped at 60,000 miles.

An unreliable trend

Pinpointing fault patterns from forums is hard. The A3’s 64th place for reliability in our 2022 Driver Power New Car survey doesn’t bode well, and Audi’s 27th spot in our 2024 Brands survey is no more encouraging. 

Interior

One of Audi’s strengths is its superb interiors, as typified by the A3. It might sit towards the bottom of the company’s range of cars, but you wouldn’t know that from the materials used or some of the technology fitted. Cabin space is good, with enough room for four adults to get comfy, and things are helped by supportive seats with plenty of adjustment. 

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Sport trim and above bring a 40:20:40 split-folding back seat. With this in use, the hatchback’s boot can stow 380 litres, but plug-in hybrid editions cut this by 100 litres. Fold the back seat down and this increases to 1,200 litres. Buy a saloon and the boot is rated at 425 litres; dropping down the standard-fit folding back seat boosts this to 880 litres.

Prices

About two thirds of the A3s for sale have a petrol engine, and the diesel is a bit less common than the PHEV. More than a quarter of the A3s for sale are saloons, so there are plenty to go round.

Running costs

There are two service schedules for the A3: fixed or variable. The former needs an oil change every 9,300 miles or 12 months, while the latter allows up to two years and 18,600 miles between services, which alternate between Oil change and Inspection, at £225 and £375 respectively. 

The 1.5 TFSI engine has a cambelt that officially doesn’t need to be replaced, but Audi UK recommends that it’s swapped every five years (there’s no official mileage limit), at a hefty £1,070. Insurance groups for the A3 range between 14 (30 TFSI) and 28 (40 TFSI); the S3 sits in groups 31-35, while the RS 3 is in groups 35-40.

Recalls

Audi has recalled the A3 Mk4 four times, the first in September 2021. That was because 11 cars made between August 2020 and May 2021 left the factory with a faulty component, which could lead to all braking power being lost. Recall two came in April 2022, because 3,656 A3 PHEVs made between October 2020 and February 2022 were fitted with faulty fuses. 

In October 2022, 174 A3s built between September and November 2021 were recalled because some were fitted with faulty seatbelts. The most recent recall, in August 2023, was because more than 100,000 A3s built between March 2020 and May 2023 came with potentially faulty power supplies.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The A3 Mk4 made its debut in the 2021 Driver Power New Car survey, in 55th place out of 75 entries. It then slipped to 59th place in 2022 and it hasn’t been seen since, which is disappointing. Audi finished in an equally poor 27th out of 32 in this year’s Brands survey. Owners like their cars’ infotainment, quality, practicality and performance, but not the ride and handling, front-seat comfort or lack of value for money.

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