Used Audi Q3 2011-2018 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Audi Q3?

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

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

S line Audi Q3s have quite large alloy wheels and since this SUV is quite compact, and designed for in town use, kerb damage may have occurred. Putting this right can be an expensive process, so check all the wheels for scuffs.

If you are looking at a four-wheel-drive model, look at the tyres. Audi advises that they should all be the same make and model of tyre all the way around to maintain the car’s handling performance. Since this can lead to the expensive situation of replacing all four tyres at once, finding a car which doesn’t need this is beneficial to your bank balance.

If you need to put a pushchair in the boot, it’ll take it. Golf clubs? Not without folding down the rear seats. Those rear seats are only a 60/40 split, whereas rivals like the Volvo XC60 and BMW X1 can be a more flexible 40/20/40. So, on your test drive, take items like this with you to check that the Q3 is suitable for your needs.

Is a used Audi Q3 reliable?

This version of the Audi Q3 always finished mid to upper-mid table in our past reliability surveys. In the most recent one in which this generation appeared it came near the top in the family SUV class in petrol form, but near the bottom in diesel form.

Petrol Audi Q3s proved far sturdier than diesels; 12% went wrong compared with 25% of diesels, and their additional issues were with the engine itself and its electrics. No petrol engines encountered trouble; the only gremlins were the bodywork and non-engine electrics, with some infotainment systems failing. Every car remained drivable, but half spent more than a week in the garage. All work was done for free.

Audi as a brand performed rather poorly in our most recent reliability survey, finishing in 26th place out of 32 manufacturers.