Believe it or not, with the current economic malaise gripping the nation (and the world) there has never been a better time than right now to purchase a secondhand Audi A3, or a similar Audi vehicle. This is because many of these cars are flooding the market, as owners with too much debt or with liquidity problems jettison these expensive cars – often less than a year or two old – can be found easily and usually with little hassle.
But, as with any used car, you need to be aware of the maintenance issues that come with owning a used Audi. Here are six of them.
Window Leaks – Water And Sound
One of the things that can occur, especially with the secondhand Audi A3, is that the weather stripping can deteriorate quickly if not properly cared for. If the Audi A3 that you have your eyes on is at least three or four years old, this will most certainly be an issue, so check it out before you buy.
Brake Squealing
Also, if the Audi A3 that you are looking at is at least two years old or has more than 50,000 miles on it, the brakes may be an issue that requires immediate attention. Be sure to have them checked out, ideally before you buy the car, but if that is not possible, at least as soon after purchase as is possible.
Rapid Power Loss
Due to a problem with the electrical system, many Audi A3 owners are complaining about immediate and sudden power loss in the vehicle while driving. This does not happen very often, but a statistically significant portion of Audi A3s do have this problem.
Problems With Tires Cupping And Feathering
A much more prevalent problem for Audi A3s – and this is especially prominent with the secondhand Audi A3 – is that the stock Continental tires experience cupping and feathering, which can be dangerous out on the road.
Transmission Problems
Also, many Audi A3s have problems with their transmissions after about 75,000 miles, so be sure to look out for that before you purchase an Audi A3. If it is listed as being close to, or well past, 75,000 miles, inquire about the history of the transmission, whether manual or automatic.
Burns Oil At Rapid Rate
And, many owners report that, as they age, Audi A3s have a problem with rapid oil burning, and oil consumption. This means that the engine is not running very efficiently, so gas mileage may also be affected.