Audi A3 (2008 – 2012) Review

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.

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.

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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

683

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.

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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

Blown turbo on Audi A3

"About a year ago the turbo failed on my 62-plate Audi A3. It was replaced under warranty (it had one month left) and now the newer turbo has blown. The car has no warranty and has done 52,000 miles. Should this have happened? Do you think I should take it back to the garage and complain?"
The reason it will have failed will be that the turbo bearing oil feed and oil return pipes were not replaced, carbon will have built up in them and that will have restricted the oil flow to the bearing of the new turbo. Bad work by the garage that fitted the new turbo.
Answered by Honest John

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
More Questions

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