CarCredo

Audi A3 8P (2003–2013)

4.0/5
Reliability score Good
Email-verified reliability report

Model and generation reliability insights from verified owners. Variants are selected when adding reviews.

7 Verified owner reports

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Most reported affected parts

View all parts
1
Driveshaft
1 reports
2
Sensors
1 reports
3
Alternator
1 reports
4
ESP
1 reports
5
Water pump
1 reports

Engine reliability summary

Petrol

Engine Score Reports Common issues
1.2 TFSI (105 Hp) (CBZB) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.2 TFSI (105 Hp) S tronic start/stop (CBZB) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.2 TFSI (105 Hp) start/stop (CBZB) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.4 TFSI (125 Hp) (CAXC, CMSA) No reports 0 No issues reported
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1.4 TFSI (125 Hp) (CAXC) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.4 TFSI (125 Hp) S tronic (CAXC, CMSA) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 (102 Hp) (BSE, BSF, CCSA, CMXA) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 (102 Hp) (BGU, BSE, BSF) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 (102 Hp) S tronic (BSE, BSF, CCSA, CMXA) 4.0 3 Driveshaft, Sensors, Alternator
1.6 (102 Hp) tiptronic (BGU, BSE, BSF) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 FSI (115 Hp) (BAG, BLP, BLF) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 TFSI (160 Hp) (BZB, CDAA) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 TFSI (160 Hp) (BYT) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 TFSI (160 Hp) S tronic (BZB, CDAA) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 TFSI (160 Hp) S tronic (BYT) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 TFSI (160 Hp) quattro (BZB, CDAA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 FSI (150 Hp) (AXW, BLR, BLX, BVY) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 FSI (150 Hp) (AXW, BLX, BLR, BLY, BMB, BVY, BVZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 FSI (150 Hp) tiptronic (AXW, BLR, BLX, BVY) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 FSI (150 Hp) tiptronic (AXW, BLX, BLR, BLY, BMB, BVY, BVZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TFSI (200 Hp) (BWA, CAWB, CBFA, CCZA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TFSI (200 Hp) (AXX, BPY, BWA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TFSI (200 Hp) DSG (AXX, BPY, BWA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TFSI (200 Hp) S tronic (BWA, CAWB, CBFA, CCZA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TFSI (200 Hp) quattro (AXX, BPY, BWA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TFSI (200 Hp) quattro S tronic (BWA, CAWB, CBFA, CCZA) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (250 Hp) quattro (BUB) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (250 Hp) quattro (BDB, BMJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (250 Hp) quattro DSG (BUB) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (250 Hp) quattro DSG (BDB, BMJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (250 Hp) quattro S tronic (BUB) No reports 0 No issues reported

Diesel

Engine Score Reports Common issues
1.6 TDI (105 Hp) (EA189 / CAYC) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 TDI (105 Hp) DPF start/stop (CAYC) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 TDI (105 Hp) S tronic (EA189 / CAYC) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 TDI (90 Hp) (CAYB) No reports 0 No issues reported
Show 22 more engines
1.9 TDI (105 Hp) (EA188 / BLS) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (105 Hp) (EA188 / BKC, BXE) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (105 Hp) DPF (EA188 / BLS) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (105 Hp) S tronic DPF (EA188 / BLS) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) (CBAB, CFFB, CLJA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) DPF (CBAB, CFFB, CLJA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) S tronic (CBAB, CFFB, CLJA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) S tronic DPF (CBAB, CFFB, CLJA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) quattro (EA189 / CBAB, CFFB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) (CBBB, CFGB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) (EA188 / BMN) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) DSG (EA188 / BMN) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) S tronic (CBBB, CFGB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) quattro (CBBB, CFGB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) quattro (EA188 / BMN) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (170 Hp) quattro DPF (CBBB, CFGB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI 16V (140 Hp) (EA188 / BKD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI 16V (140 Hp) DSG (EA188 / BKD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI 16V (140 Hp) quattro (EA188 / BKD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI 8V (140 Hp) (EA188 / BMM) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI 8V (140 Hp) DSG (EA188 / BMM) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI 8V (140 Hp) quattro (EA188 / BMM) No reports 0 No issues reported

Owner reviews

Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Audi A3 8P: A Solid Performer for its Age

For its year, this car performs well. Few faults, mainly with the warning lights, which could appear at random moments but only a few times over 5 years. Besides that, over 5 years I had the turbo regenerated, and the bodywork is poor.

Pros: Reliable for its age, Few recurring issues
Cons: Random warning light glitches, Bodywork quality lacking
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Audi A3 8P: Premium C-segment value

Hard to find a similar C-segment car in this budget. Hard paint, powerful engines, thick metal, corrosion resistant. You immediately feel it's a premium car from bygone years – before the era of ecology and pervasive cost-cutting. Despite its age, the car still looks young. Excellent standard sound system with Blaupunkt subwoofer in the trunk. Sport suspension, good equipment.

Pros: Excellent value for money in its segment, Durable paint, robust metal construction, Powerful engine options, Corrosion resistance, Timeless styling, Superior standard audio system with subwoofer, Sporty suspension, Well-equipped for its era
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Audi A3 8P: A Great First Car

This was my first car after getting my license. I'll always remember it fondly. I drove it for 2 years and it was excellent. Small and quite agile, the 140 hp provided a very dynamic ride. The 6-speed gearbox also helped the car 'glide' on high-speed roads. Maintenance costs were very reasonable, as was diesel consumption, so my wallet didn't suffer. Even though it was almost 20 years old...

Pros: Excellent for a first car, Agile and precise handling, Dynamic performance with 140 hp, Smooth 6-speed transmission, Reasonable running costs, Good fuel economy
Cons: Aging vehicle components (implied)
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Audi A3 8P: Solid Build, Disappointing Engine

Overall, the car is well-designed aesthetically and functionally. The paint coating is very durable; after over 20 years, not a trace of rust! (100% accident-free). The interior is well-assembled, with no creaks or rattles. The suspension is stiff but reasonably comfortable. These are the only positives of this car. The HUGE negative is the engine, a failure. The car was bought with 120,000 km from an Audi dealership in Germany. Problems started around 180,000 km with carbon buildup on the pistons, throttle body, intake manifold, and its flaps.

Pros: Aesthetically pleasing and functional design, Very durable paint, no rust after 20+ years, Well-assembled, creak-free interior, Stiff yet comfortable suspension
Cons: Engine is a major disappointment, prone to carbon buildup
Verified owner Verified
Audi A3 8P 1.6 (102 Hp) S tronic Hatchback 130,000 km

Problem: Transmission

Qualities: Handling (with 18-inch rims) sound, comfort, reliability. | Flaws: Fuel consumption as soon as you press the pedal a little: | Problems: Temperature sensor (€100 repair), driveshaft boot, :

Pros: Handling (with 18-inch rims), Sound, Comfort, Reliability
Cons: Fuel consumption when accelerating, Temperature sensor repair cost, Driveshaft boot issue
Verified owner Verified
Audi A3 8P 1.6 (102 Hp) S tronic Hatchback 110,000 km

Problem: Alternator

The car has some significant issues. The interior plastics degrade very quickly. The fan needed replacement early on, followed by ESP failure, and then problems with the water pump and alternator. While stable and comfortable, these reliability concerns are major drawbacks.

Pros: Stable handling, Beautiful design, Comfortable ride
Cons: Interior plastics wear out very quickly (50,000 km), Fan replaced at 56,000 km, ESP failed at 65,000 km, Water pump replaced at 100,000 km, Alternator failed at 110,000 km
Verified owner Verified
Audi A3 8P 1.6 (102 Hp) S tronic Hatchback 132,000 km

Problem: Gearbox

The gearbox requires an essential oil change before 150,000 km. Fuel consumption is high, and maintenance can be quite expensive if done at Audi. It lacks a bit of torque. However, the ride comfort is good, the engine is quiet and linear, and the audio system is of good quality.

Pros: Road comfort, Quiet engine, Slightly underpowered but smooth, Engine linearity, Good quality audio
Cons: Fuel-hungry, Expensive maintenance at Audi, Lacks some torque, Front wheel bearing issue, Gearbox oil change mandatory before 150,000 km

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