2.0 TDI 150 Sport 5dr

Great ride and handling, performance and economy, shame it’s let down by the reliability

The A3 in sport trim has a great blend of ride and handling. It’s steering is precise and it is agile like a small car should be. The 2.0l diesel delivers ample performance and it pulls especially well in fourth and fifth gears, which is great for overtaking. On the road it’s quiet and refined, and is a comfortable motorway cruiser, feeling like a much large car.

It’s quite a practical small family car, but rear legroom is a bit tight for adults. The front seats are comfy and supportive and have plenty of adjustment.

Until recently I would have given this car 5 stars, but at 90000 miles the problems started. The clutch slave cylinder failed catastrophically (which I understand is a common problem on VAG cars with this engine and gearbox combination) resulting in a new clutch slave cylinder, master cylinder, flywheel and clutch (and a £1400 repair bill). One of the rear callipers seized at 95000 miles and needed replacement. One of the auxiliary water pumps, which pumps water round the heater circuit, has also failed at the same time.

For a car which has had an easy life, mostly cruising up and down dual carriageways, the reliability is disappointing. Most of these failures don’t really seem like normal wear and tear, but more like Audi using poor quality parts; I’m left feeling a little disappointed, as before these faults I would have happily replaced it with another A3. VAG should do better.

Report as offensive