Audi A3 (2008 – 2012) Review

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Audi A3 (2008 – 2012) At A Glance

4/5

+Good choice of engines. Some petrol engines now chain cam. Comfortable and well built interior. cheap to run 1.6 TDI. Feels very refined especially on the motorway.

-Doesn't handle as well as some other premium hatchbacks. All diesels remain belt cam.

Insurance Groups are between 14–36
On average it achieves 83% of the official MPG figure

The 2008 Audi A3 is basically a VW Golf V1 with more upmarket trim that carries more status.

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Register your interest for later or request to be contacted by a dealer to talk through your options now.

Car seat chooser

Child seats that fit a Audi A3 (2008 – 2012)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Real MPG average for a Audi A3 (2008 – 2012)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

83%

Real MPG

20–72 mpg

MPGs submitted

703

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

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Ask Honest John

Can you recommend an alternative to a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
" What car is similar to a 2010 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?"
A 2010 Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series.
Answered by Andrew Brady
Does the Audi A3 1.4 petrol use a cam belt or timing chain?
"Does the 2009 Audi A3 1.4 petrol use a cam belt or timing chain? If a belt, when does it need to be changed?"
Belt. I'd recommend changing it every five years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first). The tensioner, pulley and water pump will also need to be replaced.
Answered by Dan Powell
Are there any three-door hatchbacks to replace my old Audi A3 with?
"I have an old three-door Audi A3. I was thinking of buying a three-door Volkswagen Gold but understand these are discontinued so I'm concerned that three-door hatchbacks are becoming rare. I want another three-door of similar size as this is the easiest for a dog to get in and out of; a much gentler gradient onto the back seat and wider area in the footwell with the front seat folded forward. What do you suggest?"
I don't think you'll find a new three-door car the same size as your A3, I'm afraid. The three-door Golf is being discontinued but some dealers still have pre-registered examples in as-new condition in stock, so that might be your best option if you act quickly. You could also consider nearly-new examples of the outgoing BMW 1 Series.
Answered by Andrew Brady
Why has the timing chain snapped on my 2011 Audi A3 after only 45,000 miles?
"I have a 2011 Audi A3 1.8 TFSI, which has done less than 45,000 miles. It went into limp mode and I've just been informed by the Audi garage that the timing chain has snapped. As a result, I need to pay for a new timing belt, tensioner and cylinder plus associated parts. This will cost me £4900 and the local dealership will give me 30 per cent as a goodwill gesture. Please could you provide any clarity as to why this would happen on such a low mileage car?"
The quality of the timing chains in EA211 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI engines was variable. The reason was that Volkswagen Group cut the price it was prepared to pay the manufacturer of the chains. So the chain manufacturer extended the working life of its link stamping tools. The result was that if you got a chain with links stamped out late in the life of the stamping tool it could be prone to early failure. Since it's completely unpredictable whether you get a good chain or a bad one these engine are a lottery. Volkswagen Group then abandoned chains and switched the engines over to belts, which happened gradually between 2012 and 2015.
Answered by Honest John

What does a Audi A3 (2008 – 2012) cost?

Buy new from £24,502 (list price from £30,235)