Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €442 | €10,950 | 226 | Diesel | CFF | Manual (6) | 2011–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €464 | €10,950 | 226 | Diesel | CFF | Manual (6) | 2012–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 177 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €484 | €11,999 | 176 | Diesel | CFG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2011–2014 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 170 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €494 | €10,950 | 102 | Petrol | CCZ | Manual (6) | 2011–2014 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 170 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €505 | €12,900 | 83 | Petrol | CCZ | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2011–2014 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 211 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €518 | €13,500 | 72 | Petrol | CPS | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2011–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €468 | €12,990 | 51 | Diesel | CFF | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2013–2014 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2011 to 2018, in two generations: 8u (2011-2014) and 8u-facelift (2015-2018). Diesels, petrols and the RS Q3.
- Reliability: 3/5. ADAC finds very low breakdown figures and no known breakdown hotspot. The faults that repeat are the Haldex coupling, the S tronic shifts and suspension wear.
- DIY: 3/5. Brakes, links and bushes are normal jobs. Haldex and S tronic work needs a workshop and a scanner.
- Prefer: the 1.4 TFSI 150 PS, which ADAC recommends.
- Avoid: a quattro with no Haldex oil change on record, and an S tronic that jerks or judders on a test drive.
Engines and gearboxes
- 2.0 TDI EA189 (CFF, CFG): the older 140 and 177 PS need the emissions software update. EGR units and soot-related injector repairs are named. See the EA189 2.0 TDI.
- 2.0 TDI EA288 (DFT, DFU): no fault confirmed in the sources read. See the EA288 2.0 TDI.
- 1.4 TFSI (CZD, CZE): the coolant pump and thermostat housing can warp and leak. The timing belt is due between 120,000 and 210,000 km. See the EA211 1.4 TSI.
- 2.0 TFSI (CCZ, CPS, CUL): early engines use oil, and the timing chain can stretch. See the EA888 2.0 TSI.
- RS Q3 2.5 TFSI (CTS, CZG): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 6-speed manual: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 6-speed S tronic: jerky or judder shifts and early clutch wear are reported. See Known issues.
- 7-speed S tronic: the same shift and clutch reports apply. See Known issues.
- quattro (Haldex coupling): pump and clutch faults. See Known issues.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haldex coupling pump and clutch | Quattro cars; the Haldex 5 after the facelift wears faster | 60,000-80,000 km for the Haldex 4 pump (Kolesa.ru) | No confirmed price |
| S tronic judder and clutch wear | 6-speed and 7-speed S tronic | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Springs, links and bushes | Older cars (springs); links and bushes on all cars | 30,000-70,000 km (links and bushes) | No confirmed price |
| Brake discs worn or rusty | Older cars | Not stated | Front brakes 500-540 EUR, rear 420-490 EUR (Germany, dealer, October 2020) |
| Xenon headlight flicker and fogging | Xenon headlights; fogging mostly on cars after the facelift | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Fuel filler flap release seizes | All cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Start-stop faults | Cars with start-stop | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Ask for the Haldex coupling oil and filter record. Scan the car for Haldex and pump fault codes. Bad result: a pump fault code, no oil change on record, or a front axle that drifts to front-wheel drive. A scanner is needed.
- Pull away from cold and shift through the gears in town. Bad result: jerky starts, judder or notchy shifts. A gearbox fault code needs a scanner.
- On a 2.0 TFSI, check the oil level cold and after a motorway run. Ask for top-up records. Bad result: a level that drops between services.
- On a lift, check the stabilizer links and front silent blocks for play. On older cars, check the springs. Bad result: play in the links or bushes, or a broken spring. No scanner needed.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs. Bad result: deep grooves, rust or discs worn to the limit. No scanner needed.
- At night, switch on the xenon lights and watch for flicker. Look inside the lamps for fog or moisture. Bad result: flicker, or moisture behind the lens. A fix needs a workshop.
- Open the fuel flap with the release, then with the emergency cable. Bad result: a stiff or seized release, or a flap the cable cannot open. No scanner needed.
- Stop and start the engine at traffic lights several times. Bad result: the start-stop fails to restart the engine or cuts out. Ask a dealer to check it.
- Ask a dealer for all open recall campaigns by VIN, including the brake light and LED indicator updates. Bad result: an open campaign. The repair is free.
Running costs
| Operational | €190 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €115 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €158 |
| Total per month | €463 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €83 |
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.
- Listings
- 850
- 25th percentile
- €9,990
- Median price
- €11,990
- 75th percentile
- €13,900
- Median mileage
- 158,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2013
- Dealer share
- 68.9%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €15,220
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Haldex coupling pump and clutch
Symptoms: the car drifts to front-wheel drive, and the clutch engages harshly or late. On the 5th generation the pump stops, and then the clutch plates burn.
Cause: the sources name oil that is not changed, and on the 5th generation no proper filter or accumulator. Wear debris then kills the oil pump.
Which cars: quattro. The Haldex 5 fitted after the facelift wears faster (Za Rulem). The Haldex 4 pump failed at 60,000-80,000 km in one site's report (Kolesa.ru).
Fix: change the coupling oil and filter on time. A failed pump is replaced. The sources give no part number.
Interval: sources give 20,000 to 60,000 km for the oil and filter change. They differ, so check the record.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Za Rulem: Audi Q3 faults, Kolesa.ru: Audi Q3 engines and DSG, DRIVE2 garage post: Q3 problems
S tronic judder and clutch wear
Symptoms: jerky starts, a judder when pulling away, and notchy shifts. The clutch can fail early.
Cause: not stated. Dense city traffic and towing wear the clutch faster (gebrauchtwagenberater).
Which cars: 6-speed and 7-speed S tronic. The German sources do not say which gearbox. The ADAC test drive found the S tronic mostly smooth, so the faults are not on every car.
Fix: an oil change gives only short-term relief for jerky starts (carwiki). A worn clutch is replaced. The sources give no price for this work.
Interval: Kolesa.ru puts the 6-speed oil change at every 40,000 to 50,000 km under hard use, and the 7-speed at every 50,000 km at most.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: carwiki: Audi Q3 problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Audi Q3 problems and buying advice, ADAC used-car info: Audi Q3 diesel, Kolesa.ru: Audi Q3 engines and DSG
Springs, links and bushes
Symptoms: the links, silent blocks and strut bearings wear out. Broken springs show up in TÜV inspection findings on older cars.
Cause: wear and age.
Which cars: springs on older models. Links and bushes on all cars.
Fix: replace the worn parts. The sources give no part number.
Interval: stabilizer links fail first, at 30,000 to 45,000 km. Front silent blocks go at 60,000 to 70,000 km, and shocks at 100,000 to 150,000 km (DRIVE2 garage). Kolesa.ru says the strut bearings and hubs wear before 50,000 to 60,000 km.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Audi Q3 problems and buying advice, ADAC used-car info: Audi Q3 petrol, DRIVE2 garage post: Q3 problems, Kolesa.ru: Audi Q3 headlights and software
Brake discs worn or rusty
Symptoms: discs worn or grooved, and rust on the disc surface. TÜV inspections note these.
Cause: normal wear, and rust on older discs.
Which cars: older cars.
Fix: replace the discs and pads.
Cost: ADAC gives 500 to 540 EUR for the front brakes and 420 to 490 EUR for the rear (Germany, dealer, October 2020).
Sources: ADAC used-car info: Audi Q3 diesel, gebrauchtwagenberater: Audi Q3 problems and buying advice, carwiki: Audi Q3 problems
Xenon headlight flicker and fogging
Symptoms: the xenon lamps flicker. Post-facelift headlamps fog inside.
Cause: moisture gets into the lamp. Frost cracks the original lens.
Which cars: xenon headlights. The fogging is named on cars after the facelift.
Fix: a software patch or a connector replacement for the flicker (Auto Express). Moisture kills the ballast. The lamp has to be cut open to repair it (Kolesa.ru).
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Auto Express: used Audi Q3 review, carwiki: Audi Q3 problems, Kolesa.ru: Audi Q3 headlights and software
Fuel filler flap release seizes
Symptoms: the release lever seizes, and the flap does not open. The emergency cable in the boot does not open it either.
Cause: not stated. Extra lubrication can cure a stiff release (Auto Express).
Which cars: all cars.
Fix: lubricate the release. A seized lock is fixed only by replacing the lock (Za Rulem). The repair breaks a one-use insert (Kolesa.ru).
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Auto Express: used Audi Q3 review, Za Rulem: Audi Q3 faults, Kolesa.ru: Audi Q3 headlights and software
Start-stop faults
Symptoms: the start-stop system fails, usually at traffic lights. A recurring glitch is reported.
Cause: not stated.
Which cars: cars with start-stop.
Fix: the sources advise a dealer check. They give no fix or price.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Za Rulem: Audi Q3 faults, Kolesa.ru: Audi Q3 repair and service
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany and Austria | not given | built June 2014 to November 2016 | Brake lights may not work in emergency braking when the parking brake is applied. Software update, free. |
| Germany | 69U3 | campaign February 2018, build years not stated | Passenger airbag inflator. 85 cars in Germany (ADAC). |
| Austria | 97DK | model years 2016 to 2018 | Front LED turn-signal fault. Software update of the body control module configuration. |
| Germany | not given | not stated by ADAC; gebrauchtwagenberater says built up to November 2011 | EA189 2.0 TDI emissions: the 140 and 177 PS need a mandatory software update. |
Maintenance
- Haldex coupling oil and filter: change every 20,000 to 60,000 km. Keep the invoice.
- S tronic oil: an oil change eases jerky starts only for a while. Keep the change record.
- 1.4 TFSI timing belt: due between 120,000 and 210,000 km. Check the invoice.
- Older cars: check the springs and brake discs at each service.
Sources
English
German
- ADAC used-car info: Audi Q3 diesel
- ADAC used-car info: Audi Q3 petrol
- ÖAMTC: Audi Q3 brake light recall
- ÖAMTC: Audi Q3 control unit software update
- gebrauchtwagenberater: Audi Q3 problems and buying advice
- carwiki: Audi Q3 problems