Used Audi Q3 2018-2025 reliability review

The desirable Audi Q3 is a classy, refined and versatile family SUV that makes good sense as a used buy. There is a question mark over its reliability, however.

More used reviews:

What should I look for in a used Audi Q3?

What are the most common problems with a used Audi Q3?

It’s worth inspecting the alloy wheels for any signs of kerb damage because you can get some particularly large ones on high trim levels, and they can be expensive to repair. Also, if the wheel has suffered a particularly bad knock, it might have damaged the suspension.

Most interiors in the Q3 use dark coloured carpets and materials that resist stains well. Some first owners may have specified the Alcantara pack across parts of the dashboard and door cards, so make sure that if the car has any, it’s all in good order.

Is a used Audi Q3 reliable?

The Audi Q3 finished in 40th place out of 76 cars in the family SUV class in our most recent reliability survey.

Reliability rating 92.8%

What went wrong? Sat-nav/infotainment 11%, bodywork 7%, brakes 7%, engine electrics 7%, fuel system 7%, non-engine electrics 7%, exhaust 2%,

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Lengthy stints in the workshop are the main complaint of Audi Q3 owners, who told us that half of their faulty cars took more than a week to repair. Overall, 44% of the Q3s in our survey had a problem and the sat-nav/infotainment system was the most frequently cited area. Although Audi paid for 82% of remedial work, 9% of owners had to find up to £1000 for fault fixing.

As a car brand, Audi ranked 22nd out of 30 manufacturers with a score of 90.6% – above Alfa Romeo and Jaguar but below rival brands BMW and Mercedes.

Used Audi Q3: owners' reliability data

As part of our latest Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said Audi Q3 models exhibit mixed reliability and dealer service experiences.

Numerous owners have reported issues with electronic systems, particularly concerning faulty sensors and warning lights. These faults often necessitate multiple visits to the dealership, with some readers highlighting the high cost and time-consuming nature of repairs.

Engine reliability has also been a concern, with several mentions of issues related to the fuel system and turbochargers. While some readers found their local Audi dealerships to be responsive and helpful in addressing these problems, others faced inconsistent service quality, with reports of long waiting times and insufficient communication.

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To read more from our Reliability Survey in detail, check out the full results here.

Used Audi Q3 2018-2025 boot

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Audi Q3 2.0 TDI S line quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI S line quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,475

Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI SE quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TFSI SE quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,495

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,790

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE S Tronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI SE S Tronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,300

Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI SE quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TFSI SE quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,350

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI S line quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI S line quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,489

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE S Tronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI SE S Tronic quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,489

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,495

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Audi Q3

2.0 TDI SE quattro Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,495

About the writer

Mark Pearson

Name: Mark Pearson

Title: Used cars editor

Follow Mark Pearson on

Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.

Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.

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