Used Audi A3 Cabriolet 2014-2020 reliability
Category: Convertible
The Audi A3 Cabriolet is great to drive and fantastic to sit in. It’s one of the best used convertibles you can buy.
What should I look for in a used Audi A3 sports?
As with any used convertible, check the footwells for any sign of water damage and the roof for leaks. Check that the electric mechanism for the hood works as it should, otherwise it'll be an expensive job to put right. Also check the large alloy wheels for any signs of kerb damage.
There have been a number of issues relating to rattles from the 1.4 TFSI engine, so listen carefully for any noises from the turbocharger. In diesels, the diesel particulate filter warning light has been known to illuminate, although driving the car on the open road for a few minutes is usually enough to turn it off.
Light bulbs seem to blow fairly frequently on the A3, so you may want to check they all work when you go to test drive the car.
What are the most common problems with a used Audi A3 sports?
Rear hub carrier
On certain A3s produced between 1 August 2017 and 31 August 2017, there was an issue with the rear hub carrier not being manufactured to the correct standard, so in extreme circumstances, it could lose a rear wheel. A recall was issued to replace the carriers on affected cars.
Passenger airbag
Vehicles produced between 30 June 2014 and 15 November 2014 needed to have their passenger-side airbag module replaced because of a faulty weld on the gas generator inside. In extreme circumstances, internal components could break off, enter the interior and cause injury.
DPF
All diesel models will come equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that’s designed to trap soot from the exhaust and then burn it off later. If the DPF light comes on, you must take the vehicle on a longer drive at a higher speed to clear the filter.
Is a used Audi A3 sports reliable?
The Audi A3 has mixed reliability (we have no standalone results for the Cabriolet, so here we are using the Sportback's stats). In last year's What Car? Reliability Survey, petrol models finished in 15th place out of 29 cars albeit with a good score of 91.4%.
The A3's tried-and-tested major components are shared with Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen models, so it should be easy to source the parts and, if you seek out a trusted independent dealer, it is not unduly expensive to repair.
Audi as a brand finished some way down the list in our most recent reliability survey in 26th place out of 32 manufacturers.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
