Hatchback · 2013–2020

AudiA3

Golf platform with a posher cabin. S3 and RS3 are the performance ladder; S line is mostly looks. Sportback is the practical body.

Best for: Buyers wanting premium badge with hatch practicality.

Indicative running costs ~£2,122–£3,068 / year

Power: 150 hp
Economy: 44–53 mpg
Fuel: Petrol
Boot: 285–395 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Often 205/55 R16 – 225/40 R18 (S line)

Tyre pressure (cold)

Typically ~32–38 PSI cold (door sticker)

Engine oil

TFSI/TDI: Audi/VW LongLife 504/507 or equivalent

Oil capacity

About 4.0–5.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private Audi A3 at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£2,122–£3,068 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£995/yr @ 53 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing	~£280–£440 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)	~£200–£360 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

12 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
SE / Sport 1.0 TFSI Entry petrol. 1.0 TFSI · 50–55 mpg	1.0 TFSI	115 hp	50–55 mpg	~£195*
Sport / Technik 1.4 / 1.5 TFSI Cylinder-on-demand on some — common daily. 1.4–1.5 TFSI · 44–53 mpg	1.4–1.5 TFSI	150 hp	44–53 mpg	~£195*
2.0 TDI Motorway diesel. 2.0 TDI · 50–60 mpg	2.0 TDI	150–184 hp	50–60 mpg	~£195*
S line Appearance pack — not S3 power. Various · 40–55 mpg	Various	150–184 hp	40–55 mpg	~£195*
Black Edition Black styling on S line base. Various · 40–55 mpg	Various	150–184 hp	40–55 mpg	~£195*
A3 Sportback 5-door — most UK cars. Various · 32–55 mpg	Various	115–310 hp	32–55 mpg	~£195*
A3 Saloon Booted body. Various · 32–55 mpg	Various	150–310 hp	32–55 mpg	~£195*
A3 Cabriolet Roof mechanism checks. Various · 40–50 mpg	Various	150–190 hp	40–50 mpg	~£195*
S3 Fast AWD. DSG + Haldex history. 2.0 TFSI quattro · 32–38 mpg	2.0 TFSI quattro	300–310 hp	32–38 mpg	~£195+*
RS3 Sportback / Saloon Five-cylinder — specialist PPI. 2.5 TFSI · 25–30 mpg	2.5 TFSI	367–400 hp	25–30 mpg	~£195+*
e-tron PHEV Plug-in A3. 1.4 TFSI PHEV · Variable	1.4 TFSI PHEV	204 hp	Variable	~£195*
quattro AWD — Haldex service. Various · 30–50 mpg	Various	184–400 hp	30–50 mpg	~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine1.4 litre

Gearbox5- or 6-speed manual; automatic varies by trim

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook

InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power

Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK

CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry

Tyre sizeOften 205/55 R16 – 225/40 R18 (S line)

Tyre pressureTypically ~32–38 PSI cold (door sticker)

OilTFSI/TDI: Audi/VW LongLife 504/507 or equivalent

Oil capacityAbout 4.0–5.5 litres

ULEZMost petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Buying a used A3

1S3/RS3 need specialist PPI
2DSG and Haldex service proof
3Carbon build-up on TFSI — catch cans are a clue to maps

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

Carbon build-up on direct-injection engines
DSG mechatronics and clutch pack servicing
Haldex coupling oil changes on quattro models

Audi A3 FAQs

Is a used Audi A3 expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£2,122–£3,068 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a Audi A3 need?

Typically ~32–38 PSI cold (door sticker). Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a Audi A3 take?

TFSI/TDI: Audi/VW LongLife 504/507 or equivalent. Capacity is About 4.0–5.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Audi A3 problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Carbon build-up on direct-injection engines; DSG mechatronics and clutch pack servicing. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Audi A3 ULEZ compliant?

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Owner handbook

Official Audi manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

Audi owner manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More Audi

S3

2.0 TFSI

A1

1.0 TFSI

A4

2.0 TDI

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN