Don't buy an A3, buy a 1.4 TSi Leon with the 140 (or 150) PS engine. You will get a much newer car for the same money. Under the body panels they are identical, all you are paying extra for is the Audi badge.

The only part that I didn't like was the clutch, which would occasionally produce a severe judder when pulling away.

As far as I know this more powerful 1.4tsi doesn't have a Dual Mass Flywheel and is probably on the cusp of needing one (all more powerful petrols have a DMF) which can expalain the judder under certain circumstances. Saying that there is no DMF to worry about then!

My 2014 1.4 EA111 (your version is the later EA211) has been averaging over 48mpg whilst on holiday to/in/from the lakes, not bad in a Skoda Superb barge! - infact not far behind my previous uperb 1.9pd which seemed to always do 50mpg

The only part that I didn't like was the clutch, which would occasionally produce a severe judder when pulling away.

As far as I know this more powerful 1.4tsi doesn't have a Dual Mass Flywheel and is probably on the cusp of needing one (all more powerful petrols have a DMF) which can expalain the judder under certain circumstances. Saying that there is no DMF to worry about then!

My 2014 1.4 EA111 (your version is the later EA211) has been averaging over 48mpg whilst on holiday to/in/from the lakes, not bad in a Skoda Superb barge! - infact not far behind my previous uperb 1.9pd which seemed to always do 50mpg

The engine was a real gem with plenty of performance, plus it could be very economical. My overall calculated mpg was 46.3 and I had several occasions where the calculate average for a tankful of petrol was over 50 mpg.The manual gearbox was excellent and I really enjoyed driving the car.

BEWARE.

Lillian_LL is obviously another SPAM seller who has only pasted a previous reply onto the end of the previous post and added a link into the post that could well infect your PC.

Following yesterdays SPAMfest its clear this forum needs to sort out its filters or die.

(Edit: I have hidden the spam post. Now I have to edit yours because in your haste to criticise the forum, you have reproduced the dodgy link. D'oh.)

Edited by Avant on 03/07/2019 at 00:37

make sure vehicle has had it's cam belt changed, check the advisories on the MOT website( tells you lots you may not want to see or hear), get the car fully serviced whether it needs it or not and then treat to yourself to 4 new tyres. Enjoy

Why?

The OPs budget of 10K would get them a car as new as a 2015 1.4 FR 150 PS with approx 50K on the clock.

At that age and mileage it does not need a cam belt (VAG's spec is 5 years or 120,000 miles)

It would only have been MOT'd twice max, possibly once, there should be very little to see.

If its due a service get the seller to get one done.

If the tyres are good why spend money, if they are shot get the deal to include 4 new ones.

The OP is looking a recent car and not a 10 year old banger.

The dealer cautioned that VAG cam belts should be replaced every four years or --as you say 120,000 miles. With 50k on the clock -I would advise get the cam belt changed at point of purchase rather than £550+ a year later.( whoever pays)

Shows how much dealers know, 4 years is for diesels. When I enquired about cam belts on the TSi I got 3 different answers from 3 different dealers (ranged from 3 years/30,000 miles to never needs doing) so asked Seat Customer Services and this was their reply.

"I am delighted to confirm that on your SEAT Leon, we recommend the cam belt is first checked at 60,000 miles, and every 20,000 miles thereafter. If there is no damage at these points the cambelt will not need changing. If the belt is not changed, regardless of condition, it must be replaced at 120,000 miles or when the vehicle is 5 years old, whichever comes first."

A rather long winded reply but for most cars the interval will be 5 years, very few will do more than 120,000 miles in that time.

As for £550 for a cam belt change the Seat menu price is £399 (inc VAT) for a petrol with a 5 year warranty. Whilst there is a menu item for a waterpump with the diesel cam belt there is no such item for the petrol thus I suspect the arrangement means that waterpump replacement is simple should it be needed later.