Hatchback · 2013–2020

AudiS3

Quattro hot hatch/saloon based on the Golf R family. Rapid, discreet in saloon form, and expensive when neglected.

Best for: Performance buyers who want AWD traction.

Indicative running costs ~£2,965–£4,861 / year

Power: 300 hp
Economy: 32–38 mpg
Fuel: Petrol
Boot: 285–395 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp34–40

Owner essentials

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

Tyre size

Commonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

Engine oil

Often VW 504/507 or Audi equivalent LongLife — match the exact approval

Oil capacity

Typically ~4–5.7 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 S3 at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£2,965–£4,861 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£1388/yr @ 38 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£1,000–£2,500+ (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.

6 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
S3 Sportback Five-door practicality. 2.0 TFSI quattro · 32–38 mpg	2.0 TFSI quattro	300–310 hp	32–38 mpg	~£195+*
S3 Saloon Lower-key looks. 2.0 TFSI quattro · 32–38 mpg	2.0 TFSI quattro	300–310 hp	32–38 mpg	~£195+*
S3 Black Edition Black pack. 2.0 TFSI · 32–36 mpg	2.0 TFSI	300–310 hp	32–36 mpg	~£195+*
S3 Vorsprung Full kit — later cars. 2.0 TFSI · 32–36 mpg	2.0 TFSI	310 hp	32–36 mpg	~£195+*
S tronic DSG Almost all UK S3s — fluid history essential. DQ381 · 32–38 mpg	DQ381	300–310 hp	32–38 mpg	~£195*
Faceted / facelift 8V.2 Post-facelift power bump — confirm year. 2.0 TFSI · 32–38 mpg	2.0 TFSI	310 hp	32–38 mpg	~£195*

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

Full specifications

Engine2.0 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 34–40

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 sizeCommonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressureOften ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

OilOften VW 504/507 or Audi equivalent LongLife — match the exact approval

Oil capacityTypically ~4–5.7 litres

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

Buying a used S3

1Full DSG and Haldex history
2Check for remaps and launch control abuse
3Budget for tyres — quattro eats them

· 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.

DSG mechatronics if fluid neglected
Water pump and thermostat failures
Carbon build-up and PCV issues on TFSI

Audi S3 FAQs

Is a used Audi S3 expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£2,965–£4,861 / 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 S3 need?

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the 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 S3 take?

Often VW 504/507 or Audi equivalent LongLife — match the exact approval. Capacity is Typically ~4–5.7 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Audi S3 problems?

Buyers most often watch for: DSG mechatronics if fluid neglected; Water pump and thermostat failures. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Audi S3 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

A3

1.4 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