Best used Audis

We've not exactly kept our view of the Audi A3 a secret. Shortly after its 2013 release, we dubbed it our overall What Car? Car of the Year and, in its last year on sale (2020), it was our overall Used Car of the Year. 

A lot of factors resulted in this family car's multiple award wins, but the A3's greatness comes down to how much polish it exudes in every area. Its engines are smooth, powerful and efficient, while its interior features premium materials and tip-top build quality. You get a lot of car for the money.

Speaking of which, used prices start from around £6000, which is similar to the closely-related (and not quite as plush) Mk7 Volkswagen Golf. Reliability is a strong point, too.

"I have recommended a used Audi A3 to family and friends a number of times. It's so good that it puts the newer 2020-present version to shame in areas such as pricing, quality and reliability." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2014 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport, 40,000 miles, £9449

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The Audi TT is mechanically based on the A3, yet it goes to even greater lengths to indulge its driver. The TT is super sharp and composed in the corners, with great grip on offer – that's especially true of models equipped with Audi's famous quattro four-wheel-drive system. 

One area where the TT has performed particularly well over the years is reliability. In 2024, it came fourth out of 13 cars in the sports car category of our Reliability Survey with a score of 98.4%, beating rivals such as the 2014-2021 BMW 2 Series and the Mazda MX-5. 

Add on decent practicality (for a sports car), a varied engine range – that stretches all the way to a charismatic five-cylinder petrol in the TT RS – and great used prices, and you've got a winner on your hands.

"I've always been very fond of the Audi TT's interior. Not only does it look and feel very smart, but it's also easy to use. The infotainment system combined with the driver's display is a great feature, plus it minimises distraction while driving." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2015 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Sport, 53,000 miles, £11,900

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A priority for executive cars to get right is the motorway journey. Plenty of people buy these cars to commute or to travel across the country for business, so they need to be powerful, comfortable and refined. Fortunately, the Audi A4 is all of those things.

It's particularly good in comfort-focused Technik trim, which happens to be very well equipped. But if you prefer a firmer, sportier driving experience, there's also S line and Black Edition models.

It's a terrific used buy, with plenty of good examples to choose from, whether you're using it for motorways or commuting or to transport the family around (the A4 Avant is good at that, too). The interior is plush and well-equipped and the quality is top-notch. Prices start from just £8000.

"The A4 has slightly more space for passengers than the BMW 3 Series, which is great if you regularly carry people in the back. I can fit quite comfortably and I'm 6ft2in." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2016 Audi A4 1.4 TFSI Sport, 45,800 miles, £9950

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The Audi Q7 is ripe for a big price tag, because it's a giant luxury SUV and a seven-seater to boot. And, when new, it does demand a small fortune from you – as of writing, the Q7 starts at £63,344 (if you factor in our Target Price discount). However, when used, you can pick up a good example for less than £25,000. 

The Q7 isn't just good for the money, either – it's just good, full stop. Its rich interior (both in terms of quality and space) is met with a great driving experience that features a well-judged ride and handling balance. 

In terms of engines, there are plenty to choose from (you can have a V8-powered SQ7 if you're brave enough). We'd recommend going for one of the V6 diesels, which are smooth, powerful and surprisingly economical.

"I find the standard suspension a touch firm around town, so I'd recommend seeking out a car equipped with the air suspension. This transforms the Q7 into one of the best-riding cars around." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2019 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI V6 45 S line, 47,036 miles, £28,350

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It may not be as lavish as its larger sibling, the Q7, but the Audi Q5 doesn't disappoint. There's a range of strong engines available, including the 2.0-litre petrol variant (renamed 45 TFSI in 2019), which is pretty pokey thanks to a healthy 249bhp. The 187bhp 2.0 TDI (later 40 TDI) diesel, meanwhile, still delivers strong pace. 

On the road, all of the Q5's engine options offer impressive refinement, even under full acceleration. On its standard suspension option, the Q5 rides well. With the optional-from new air suspension, it’s superb – a strong contender for being the very best in the large SUV class.

Of course, as with most Audis from this era, interior quality is superb. The infotainment system is very easy to use, thanks to an intuitive mix of physical and touchscreen-based controls. 

"If you want really effortless performance, the SQ5 is a good fun. It initially came with a 349bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine before being replaced with a 342bhp diesel unit in 2019. I find both equally impressive, but the diesel is more economical." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2017 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Sport, 47,500 miles, £18,495

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Electric SUVs are expensive when buying new, but when bought used a lot of them are a bargain – including the Q4 e-tron. Used prices start from just £19,000, which is more than half the price of when it was new. That'll get you an entry-level 35 Sport model, which is good, but then you don't have to spend much more to get our favourite 40 version.

Indeed, the 40 has 201bhp, rear-wheel drive and an 8.5sec 0-62mph time, while a large 82kWh total capacity battery delivers an official range of up to 322 miles. That's not far off a Tesla Model Y Long Range of a similar age.

Elsewhere, the Q4 e-tron is very well-rounded. It's comfortable and practical, plus its reliability record it proving strong so far. Our only caveat is interior quality, which isn't as good as what you'll get in a Volvo XC40 Recharge.

"It's difficult to tell from the outside, but the Q4 e-tron is based on the same underpinnings as the Skoda Enyaq and VW ID 4. For the most part, I think Audi has done a good job of adding a premium touch to the Q4. It's a very comfortable and refined car to drive, especially on the motorway." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

We found: 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron 40 Sport, 42,602 miles, £21,558

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The Audi Q2 is currently the smallest SUV in the brand's roster, but, when new, it’s also one of the best-selling. Its popularity is far from undeserved; this small SUV has a smart interior and tidy handling, plus it's relatively cheap to run.

The engine line-up consists of a range of petrols and diesels, with either front-wheel drive or quattro four-wheel drive. Even the entry-level 113bhp 1.0-litre TFSI three-cylinder petrol is perky enough for town work, but the 148bhp 1.4 TFSI petrol is more flexible overall. The diesels are great if you spend a lot of time on the motorway.

Reliability is a strong point, with the Q2 finishing in second place out of 23 cars in the small SUV section of our Reliability Survey. The main reasons why it's not farther up this list is practicality and comfort; this small SUV isn't very spacious in the back, nor is the ride particularly comfortable.

"I do think it's shame the Q2 has a firm ride. But then if it didn't have that, it might not handle so well in the corners. To maximise comfort, I'd recommend going for the Sport model because it gets smaller 17in alloys that provide more cushioning than the 18in S line wheels." – George Hill, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2017 Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI Sport, 40,150 miles, £15,000

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The large, limo-like saloon isn't the sole property of the chauffeur. No, everyone should enjoy the opulence these luxury cars offer, mainly because there are a fair few fantastic deals on the used market. The Audi A8 is one of them – you can put a respectable example on your driveway for around £25,000. 

From its high-quality interior to its extremely comfortable driving experience, the A8 exudes luxury. Yes, we may have said similar things about Audi's smaller saloon car, the A4, but the A8 is a noticeable step up. For the money, it's a bit of a bargain. 

If you're buying an A8 as a driver rather than passenger, you won't be disappointed. It's about as relaxing as driving gets, with air suspension that wafts you over bumps seamlesslyt. But then, if you do intend to spend time in the back of your A8, you won't be lacking in comfort, either.

"The A8's interior is marvellous. While it can’t quite match the glitz of the Mercedes S-Class, the A8’s interior is more understated with furnishings that are deeply appealing. I find it a more tasteful affair overall, with the open-pore wood and top-quality materials being particularly pleasant." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2018 Audi A8 3.0 TDI V6 50, 47,258 miles, £25,824

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There isn't much that needs saying here. You've heard about how great the A3 family car is and the Audi A3 Cabriolet is no different – well, apart from the fact you can drop the top and enjoy some sky.

Is it better than the regular A3? Well, not quite, because it's sacrificed some practicality in becoming a convertible. However, if that's not a priority for you, the Cabrio could well be the one to go for. It's great to drive, plus it comes with the same classy, high-quality interior as the regular car. 

As a used buy, it's good value. Early low mileage examples start from around £8000, which is similar money to the slightly smaller Mini Convertible of the same era.

"The MMI infotainment system in the A3 Cabriolet might seem old fashioned compared with modern systems, but I do find it very intuitive to use while driving." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4 TFSI Sport, 21,464 miles, £12,995

Read our used Audi A3 Cabriolet review

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If you're willing to pay a premium over the A4, you can pick up an example of its sleeker sibling, the Audi A5 Sportback. You'll enjoy many of the same positives, including the A4's sublime engines and interior quality, but gain a coupé-esque look, as well as a hatchback tailgate to make loading large items into the boot easier.

While it's not as fun to drive as the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, the A5 Sportback is more comfortable. It's especially good in our preferred Sport trim, which like other cars on this list, comes with smaller alloy wheels that helps improved ride comfort.

The other benefit of choosing Sport is that it's very well equipped. It comes with features such as xenon headlights, a powered tailgate, three-zone climate control, leather seats and electrically adjustable front seats as standard.

"In terms of engines, I'd recommend going for the 187bhp 2.0 TDI 190 – it’s economical, punchy and refined. Just be aware that this engine was renamed the 40 TDI from 2019 onwards, which is confusing because it's not exactly clear what the 40 element stands for." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

We found: 2017 Audi A5 2.0 TDI S line, 41,807 miles, £13,900

Read our used Audi A5 Sportback review

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