Overall Average Rating: 85.63%
Position in the Top 100 cars: 44th

The car that created the premium hatch sector has had a tough year, slipping 21 places in 12 months.

Although pre-facelift models are now getting on for six years old, these results suggest the Audi isn’t quite hitting the mark.

Comfort, reliability and practicality all came in for criticism, while you also told us the ride quality on British roads could be better.

Manufacturer Verdict (Position: 11th)

A solid showing sees Audi hold on to its 11th position. Drivers said their cars were the third best built in the country, while the maker was also in the top 10 in the braking and performance charts.

Overall Average:
4.294
85.88%
32nd in Driver Power 2010
4.05
81%
31st in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy another Audi A3 again:
4.75
95%
21st in Driver Power 2010
Relialibity:
4.507
90.14%
37th in Driver Power 2010
Build Quality:
4.645
92.9%
10th in Driver Power 2010
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

As a driving enthusiast I was surprised by how unintuitive the feel is through the pedals and steering wheel. Also the tyres supplied on the car are not up to standard in my opinion but then again it's not a sports model. Apart from a passenger window fault and alarm issue which was sorted by an ECU reset my dealer have been brilliant from the day I walked into the showroom. Overall it is a premium hatchback and it is certainly a nice place to be but it lacks that driver appeal as a BMW does so my next car will probably be a BMW...

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great car other than Differential problems which still aren't resolved fully. Car is 4x4 Haldex arrangement.

Great interior, excellent performance, looks great, top bang for buck and for this type of car very reasonable to own with servicing again being reasonable. My Dealer is good and very attentitive although my problem has dragged due to trying to pin the problem down... sometimes i do think you can buy the 'wrong car'. I've had similar VAG cars before which were fine.

Reliability: 2/5 Build Quality: 4/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Apart from hard ride (which I was aware off prior to purchase ) the car does exactly what I expected in all areas of ownership.
Its a compact hatchback, and has handled the loads and passenger needs, including driving abroad, very pleased.
Previous three cars all VW`s, so I had a good guide as to what I should be getting.... and I got that a smart reliable, sporty compact hatch with very good build and it ticks all the boxes.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
05-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

I have had one about 5 small problems since I purchased the car all the ones in the first 3 years were fixed under warrenty the other 2 were coil packs failing and repaired by the AA. just had to pay for the parts. I like the car, it is sylish, feels well built, comfortable to drive on long distances and is responsive. I will definately consider another Audi when the time comes to change my car.

Reliability: 3/5 Build Quality: 5/5
55-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

I was after a good quality, comfortable, more economical (than previous CR-V) car that could satisfy many roles. Predominately used by 2 people, but occasionally transport elderly relatives, so needed 4 doors. Diesel with DSG box is excellent combination and it's even been acceptable in the snow. Niggling electrical faults (radio, central locking) should not have occurred, however.

Reliability: 3/5 Build Quality: 4/5
57-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Clutch plate worn out ... replaced plate, but problem still exist (£900 cost to me) - thrust plate then replaced (under warranty) problem fixed...

Unhappy with outcome as I feel clutch plate was not the issue Audi will not entertain any reimbursement .. Audi UK not replying to my complaint. So Im now left out in the cold and £900 pound out of pocket on a 2 year old car.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 4/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

The car is excellent. However, mine was one of the first of a new model with updated electronics and the alarm system has been troublesome. Eventually fixed after returning car to dealer three times, who referred back to factory. Eventually updated software installed and rolled out to all new A3 and TT models.

Reliability: 2/5 Build Quality: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Excellant car (its an SE so the suspension is not hard). The 1.8 Turbo engine is perhaps the best compromise between performance and economy - far better than a grumbly diesel, and with more linear torgue delivery. Build quality is faultless and styling is still perfect (understaled but classy)

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A very good honest car that does a lot of work and never causes me any problems. Very good spec and the dealer service is A*. My car is the A3 3 door sport and has an Audi styling kit on it and looks classy. This was my 1st Audi and my next car will be an Audi A5 for sure. Well done Audi.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Clutch burnt out after one years driving ...

Audi blamed my driving style although Im 55yrs old and never had this problem before (2 MGF's before the Audi)

Then the fly Wheel caused problems which was also put down to my driving ...

Which has left me feeling unhappy with Audi

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

It's more than lived up to expectations. Because of an operation I was unable to drive it for 8 weeks. When I was able to start driving again just over a week ago it started immediately, despite having been parked unused during some of the coldest weather in living memory.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
07-reg , Owner for 1 to 3 years

i own an audi A3 s-line 170 ps diesel leather interior automatic quality of the whole car is superb esp the iterior design is excellent so much so that i chose it over the A4 and over the BMW 2.0d wish i could have a 3,0D A3 (not that this one isn't fairly quick)

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

The car has been fantastic for the short period of time that we have had it. It has suffered from a couple of issues, one of which happened whilst we were away from home, but Audi dealt with the problem immediately and the fault was fixed by their mobile team.

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Very, very nice car indeed. No mechanical problems, very smooth to drive, excellent on both motorway and around town. Not cheap, but build quality and materials make it very good value compared to Ford, Vauxhall etc. I would get another.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

My Audi A3 has done 145,000 miles in four and a half years and apart from the normal servicing cost/tyres etc i have sent around £1100 on non warranty repairs which i dont think is that bad. its done everything i wanted it to do

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
55-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Lovely, though not as well appointed or el built as y first Audi A3. There have definiftely been economies made at Audi. Will look at Audi/VW or even Skoda brand next time to keep it in the reliable family.

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
52-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Graet car. Does most things very well but some areas comprimised. Dealer servicing expensive, but any decent garage should be able to do the work. Definitely the most reliable car I have owned.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 4/5
57-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Unbeatable combination of style, reliabilty, performance and economy. It is only let down by a dated looking CD/radio display screen and the fog/spot light warning lights are hidden from view.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
04-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

With no warning the DMF went at 70,000, destroying the clutch at the same time - I was about a month out of warranty which meant that the whole £1700 bill was down to me - not impressed.

Reliability: 2/5 Build Quality: 4/5
09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Looks good and there is perceived quality in the interior, however there is not real quality and lots of problems develop. Further, even premium dealers are not honest or reliable.

Reliability: 1/5 Build Quality: 1/5
52-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Whilst it might not be brilliant at any one thing it is a fantastic alrounder. It replaces a similar car but benefits from more equipment, more engine power and better refinement.

Reliability: 3/5 Build Quality: 5/5
S-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

I love my car! It's reliable and it's very easy to drive. I feel completely in control of it and it's very comfortable. It's the right size for my needs and isn't expensive to run.

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 4/5
54-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Nice car to drive and own. Let down by some reliability issues, however, i can't blame Audi in entirety as the garage i purchased the car from were to blame for a lot of issues.

Reliability: 3/5 Build Quality: 4/5
04-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great car but a shame Audi dont accept that the 3.2L engine has a major problem at 2k rpm when VW has issued a ECU flash for the R32 ( same engine same problem)

Reliability: 2/5 Build Quality: 4/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Audi S3 is quick, fun to drive and practical. Build quality is first rate. 4 wheel drive is great for today's frequent less than perfect road conditions.

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Car has excellent build quality for a small car, has been very reliable and it has achieved over 55mpg as an average on each monthly fuel claim submitted.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 4/5
07-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Car good but poor at fault finding - needs problem to happen and stay , so that fault can register on system so they can plug computer in and see problem

Reliability: 3/5 Build Quality: 4/5
08-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A very good car with typical Audi build quality. Only niggles are over firm ride and could be quieter, little bigger boot would be good too

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
02-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

Its been the best car I have ever had and still runs as good as when I bought except for the engine being a bit noisier (148000 miles)

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
55-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Excellent build quality , image, economy and residual value, but maybe not top marks for engine reliability, overall a great car.

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
57-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

excellent every day car, easy, simple and cheap to run. brilliant build quality and a nice place to be on long journeys..

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Very reliable, looks great, build quality very good, performance great with good economy, extras are pricey though

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The car is not exciting but it is well built and reliable and I can drive a very long way on a tank of diesel.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

the way i sum up my car is that i am very pleased overall with the car, and i rate the car good to excellent

Reliability: 2/5 Build Quality: 5/5
54-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

The car is very reliable but should not have needed to have a broken spring replaced in less than 5 years

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 4/5
54-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Reliable. fabulous build quality. good handling. reasonably understated looks but too expensive.

Reliability: 3/5 Build Quality: 5/5
04-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

Good car, which has been reliable, not as fuel efficient as it was when new

Reliability: 2/5 Build Quality: 5/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Very reliable, solid car, no problems. Excellent service from Audi dealer.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 4/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Good build quality, ecomonical but very poor specification for money

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

A very economical car to run with superb styling and build quality.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
56-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

A very good quality product - has been reliable and a joy to own

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 4/5
03-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The audi a3 tdi quattro has been a great car to own and drive

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
06-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Reliable , solidly built , economical , good performance.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
56-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Great - and much better value to the similar new golf!

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great choice, great brand, excellent quality.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Has lived up to all expectations to date!

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
08-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Excellent, but its not a Mercedes.

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Very reliable and good for its age

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 4/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

A lemon - and Audi don't care

Reliability: 1/5 Build Quality: 1/5
07-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Love it, Love it, Love it

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5
Y-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

A big disappointment

Reliability: 1/5 Build Quality: 1/5
07-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

cannot fault it

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
54-reg Diesel, Owner for More than 5 years

Marvellous

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
56-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

very good

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
06-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Love it!

Reliability: 5/5 Build Quality: 5/5
08-reg , Owner for 1 to 3 years

great

Reliability: 4/5 Build Quality: 4/5