Audi A3 review - Reliability and safety

Reliability shouldn’t be an issue with the latest A3 model. It’s based on the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous MQB architecture and the TSI petrol engines are also known quantities.

The A3 didn’t feature in our 2020 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, although there were appearances from other Audi offerings in the form of the Q2, Q3 and Q5. Audi itself finished in a disappointing 21st place out of 30 manufacturers, but was ahead of Mercedes and BMW.

Euro NCAP awarded the previous A3 a full five-star rating, and we wouldn’t expect anything less for the fourth-generation car. The A3’s closely-related stablemate, the Volkswagen Golf, has already achieved top marks for safety, with an additional ‘Advanced’ seal of approval, which recognises the car’s superior safety technology.

All A3 versions include Audi’s ‘Pre Sense Front’ safety system which uses a radar-based warning to alert the driver to potential hazards. It also has the ability to initiate automatic emergency braking if required. The on-board safety kit adds a Collision Avoidance Assistant (which actively assists the driver in steering around an obstacle), a lane departure warning system, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

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Warranty

Audi’s standard warranty is three years and 60,000 miles, which is unlimited mileage for years one and two, with the 60,000-mile cap coming into effect in the third year. You can also upgrade to a four or five-year warranty for an extra fee.

Servicing

Audi offers two types of service schedule: fixed servicing should take place every 9,300 miles or annually, while the flexible option is up to 18,600 miles and every 2 years. 

Audi recommends a flexible schedule for those who drive longer distances, usually on motorways and main roads, while a fixed schedule is more suited to lower-mileage drivers who do more urban driving.