• On paper, the TDI is the one for economy
• As a used buy the 1.5 TFSI is the best A3 for running costs
• There is an A3 Mk3 with free road tax

If you want to keep Audi A3 running costs down then opt for the 1.6-litre TDI. Claimed average economy is 74.3mpg so expect around 64mpg in real-world driving. Audi servicing can be expensive, especially at main dealers while spares aren’t cheap either.

Low road tax Audi A3

Audi’s greenest A3 is the 1.6-litre diesel with start/stop technology emitting 99g/km of CO2. As long as it’s maintained well then it’s a good buy, most models are likely to be ULEZ compliant as Audi met Euro 6 standards as early as 2013 for some diesels. It’s also the Audi A3 to look for if you want a used car with free road tax (VED).

Don’t worry too much about going for a petrol one if you need to venture into clean air zones though. The majority of 1.4-litre or 1.5-litre 150hp models fall into band B or C for VED, meaning the Audi A3 is an affordable car to tax without having to go for for a basic, underpowered model.

Audi A3 Mk3 reliability and servicing

• Proven VW Group running gear
• Some trim and electrical parts can be expensive
• Overall a reliable and easy to maintain car

Audi has an excellent reputation for build quality so worries about Audi A3 reliability should be non-existent. Easy to service at home and familiar to most specialists, you don’t need to visit a main dealer with your used Audi A3.

There are few applicable recalls for this version of the A3, and the only concerns should be around the quattro, S-tronic (DSG) and infotainment/electronic systems which can be expensive to repair – though these are usually robust unless neglected.