Audi A3 8P (2003-2012): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2003–2005
Median price: €1,990
Listings: 224
Running cost per month: €419
Power: 102 PS (75 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

Check the coolant and oil use first. Then the cylinder heads, timing chains, DQ200 clutch and EGR valves.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.6, 102 PS, 5-speed manual	€419	€1,840	79	Petrol	CCS	Manual (5)	2003–2005

At a glance

Years: built 2003 to 2012 or 2013. The Cabrio (8P7) came in 2008.
Biggest risks: cracked cylinder heads on early 2.0 TDI pump-injector diesels, oil use and chain wear on 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrols, and the 7-speed S tronic clutch.
Reliability: 3/5, because the risks are known and can be checked, but several engines and gearboxes have costly faults.
DIY: 2/5, because chain, clutch and cylinder head work needs a garage.
Prefer: a car with invoices for timing chain, clutch and EGR work. Avoid: a 2.0 TDI pump-injector that loses coolant with no visible leak.

Engines and gearboxes

1.2 and 1.4 TFSI (EA111): the timing chain can stretch early and cause engine damage. See the 1.2/1.4 TSI guide.
1.6 and 2.0 TDI common rail (EA189, from April 2008): the EGR valve wears faster after the emissions update. See the 2.0 TDI guide.
7-speed S tronic (DQ200): clutch judder and mechatronic faults. See the DQ200 guide.
2.0 TDI pump-injector (140 PS BKD, 170 PS BMN, up to April 2008): cylinder head cracks. These are not the common rail engines above.
1.8 and 2.0 TFSI (EA888): high oil use and timing chain wear.
2.0 TFSI (200 PS): fuel pump drive and cam follower wear on 2006 and 2007 cars.
1.6 FSI (115 PS): timing chain problems.
2.0 FSI (150 PS): high oil use and carbon build-up from direct injection.
3.2 V6 (247 or 250 PS): timing chain stretch and slip.
1.6 petrol (102 PS) and 1.9 TDI (BKC, BXE, BLS): no common fault confirmed.
6-speed DSG, tiptronic automatic and manual: no common fault confirmed. For the early 2.0 TDI flywheel, see below.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Diesel cylinder head cracks	2.0 TDI pump-injector, 140 and 170 PS, up to April 2008	Not stated	No confirmed price
Oil use and chain wear on EA888 petrols	1.8 and 2.0 TFSI	Not stated	No confirmed price
Early TFSI timing chain stretch	1.2 and 1.4 TFSI	Not stated	No confirmed price
DQ200 clutch judder and mechatronic faults	7-speed S tronic (DQ200)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Flywheel and clutch failure	2.0 TDI, built 2003 to 2005	Not stated	No confirmed price
EGR valve wear after the emissions update	1.6 and 2.0 TDI common rail, from April 2008	Not stated	No confirmed price
Cam follower and fuel pump drive wear	2.0 TFSI, 2006 and 2007	Not stated	No confirmed price
Brake hoses and springs	All	Not stated	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Check the coolant level, and look for loss with no visible leak. Coolant loss can mean a cracked head on a 2.0 TDI pump-injector. Get a garage to check the head before you buy.
After a test drive, check the oil level. If oil use is high, ask for proof of an engine overhaul with revised pistons.
Ask for the timing chain service record. The 1.2 and 1.4 TFSI chain can stretch early.
On a DQ200 car, check for clutch judder when pulling away. Ask for fault codes to be read with a scanner.
On a 2.0 TDI built 2003 to 2005, ask whether the flywheel and clutch were replaced. A clutch that slips or judders is a bad sign.
On a 1.6 or 2.0 TDI from 2008, check for jerky running, power loss, black smoke and higher fuel use. Ask whether the emissions software update was done.
On a 2.0 TFSI from 2006 or 2007, ask whether the fuel pump drive and cam follower were checked. A scanner can show codes P2293 and P0087.
Look at the brake hoses for porous spots, and check the springs. Porous hoses are reported from about 5 to 11 years old.
Ask whether the ABS and ESP recall work was done on cars built May 2008 to May 2009.

Running costs

Operational	€219
Workshop	€107
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€118
Total per month	€444
New-car depreciation (not included)	€39

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 224
25th percentile: €1,300
Median price: €1,990
75th percentile: €2,800
Median mileage: 232,917 km
Median first registration: 2004
Dealer share: 21.4%
Price at 100,000 km: €2,984

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Diesel cylinder head cracks

The 2.0 TDI pump-injector engines, the 140 PS BKD and the 170 PS BMN, can crack their cylinder heads. The first sign is often coolant loss. In extreme cases the engine is damaged. These engines were built up to April 2008. The sources give no repair cost or mileage, so ask a garage to price a head repair.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, CarWiki

Oil use and chain wear on EA888 petrols

The 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI engines of the EA888 family can burn a lot of oil. The fix is an engine overhaul with revised pistons. Timing chain wear is also reported. Check the engine type, and ask for proof of chain and piston work.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, AUTOPLENUM, kolesa.ru

Early TFSI timing chain stretch

On the 1.2 and 1.4 TFSI, the timing chain can stretch early. A stretched chain can jump and cause expensive engine damage. Ask for chain records.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, CarWiki, AutoScout24 guide, kolesa.ru

DQ200 clutch judder and mechatronic faults

The 7-speed S tronic (DQ200) can judder. Clutches often need replacing, and the mechatronic unit (the gearbox control unit) can fail. No confirmed repair cost.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, kolesa.ru

Flywheel and clutch failure

On 2.0 TDI cars built 2003 to 2005, the dual-mass flywheel can be damaged, and the clutch can fail. A recall covered this fault. Cabrio 2.0 TDI clutch failures are also reported.

Sources: AUTO BILD, CarWiki, AutoScout24 Cabrio test

EGR valve wear after the emissions update

On the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI common rail engines (EA189), the EGR valve (it feeds exhaust gas back into the intake) often wears faster after the emissions software update. Symptoms are jerky running, power loss, black smoke and higher fuel use. ADAC reports sticking valves on 2009 to 2012 cars. Goodwill rarely helps older or high-mileage cars. No confirmed repair cost.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, CarWiki, AutoScout24 guide, AUTO ZEITUNG

Cam follower and fuel pump drive wear

On the 2.0 TFSI, the camshaft lobe that drives the high-pressure fuel pump can wear, and so can the small cup (cam follower) between them. Fuel pressure then drops and the engine light comes on, with codes P2293, P0087 or P1093. A US bulletin for 2006 and 2007 cars says to replace the camshaft and follower if worn, and the pump only if its plunger is worn. The improved camshaft is part number 06F109101B.

Sources: US bulletin, Audi of America TSB 01 13 18, onlyrevo

Brake hoses and springs

Brake hoses can go porous from about five years, and the TÜV test often finds them at about 11 years. Broken springs are above average at 7 to 9 years. Brake discs wear quickly.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, AUTO ZEITUNG, CarWiki, AutoScout24 guide, zr.ru

Recalls

Campaign	Cars	Built	Work and cost	Country	Code
Dual-mass flywheel	2.0 TDI	2003 to 2005	Not stated	Germany	not given
ABS and ESP fault	Not stated	May 2008 to May 2009	Not stated	Not stated	not given
Diesel fuel-pump screw	Diesel	2004	Not stated	Not stated	not given

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, CarWiki, AUTO BILD

Maintenance

Timing belt (2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI EA113): change it at least every five years, or earlier by mileage.
Gearbox oil: keep to the service plan for gearbox oil changes.