Gebrauchtwagen-Check: Gut und nicht günstig: Der Audi A3 bei der HU

The Audi A3 stands out as the more upscale sibling to Volkswagen's Golf, but it also comes with a higher price tag. According to the HU (kraftfahrzeug-haftungs-pruefung, or Germany's vehicle inspection test), the Audi A3 manages to live up to its premium reputation, impressing in areas like steering and drivetrain components, as well as all lighting components.

The car's build quality is generally praised, with few instances of rust or oil leaks, and the Ingolstadt-manufactured vehicle rarely fails its exhaust emissions test.

However, the Audi A3 is not without its weaknesses. After seven years of ownership, common issues include broken springs and faulty shock absorbers, likely due to the sportier suspension and stronger engines. The braking discs have also received mixed reviews, scoring only average marks. The ADAC reports that the Audi A3 is "reliable, up to very reliable," with no notable weak points identified by the club.

The motor options for the third-generation include gasoline engines (three- and four-cylinder with front-wheel and all-wheel drive) ranging from 77 kW/105 PS to 294 kW/400 PS, diesel engines (four- and five-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive) from 77 kW/105 PS to 134 kW/184 PS, and a plug-in-hybrid (e-Tron, four-cylinder with front-wheel drive) rated at 150 kW/204 PS.

The fourth-generation Audi A3 offers gasoline engines (three- and four-cylinder with front-wheel and all-wheel drive) from 81 kW/105 PS to 299 kW/407 PS, diesel engines (four- and five-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive) from 85 kW/116 PS to 147 kW/200 PS, and a plug-in-hybrid (e-Tron, four-cylinder with front-wheel drive) ranging from 150 kW/204 PS to 200 kW/272 PS (per system).