Used buyer's guide: Audi A3

How much?

Very high-mileage MkII A3s start at £3,000 privately, but you’ll pay £1,000 more for something with average miles.

A 1.4 TFSI costs £8,000, a 1.6 TDI is £11,000-plus and £14,500 secures a 1.2 TFSI. An 07-plate 1.6 SE, a 56-plate 2.0 FSI SE or a 55-plate 2.0 TDI 140 Sport will fetch £8,000.

Convertibles start at £11,000, Sportbacks cost £1,000 more than three-door cars and autos are a similar amount extra. Quattros cost up to £600 more.

Running costs

Service intervals on the second-generation A3 vary from 9,000 miles or 12 months up to 20,000 miles or two years. But you can get a minor service on cars up to two litres and over three years old for £150; a major check is £299, and the two alternate.

Newer cars cost up to £600 to maintain, while 3.2 V6s and quattros need extra oil changes, which add £130 to a major service.

Other extras required every two years include air-con recharging (£100), fresh coolant (£43) and brake fluid (£76). Cambelts will need to be renewed on all engines; schedules differ wildly, but expect to pay around £450.