Models · Audi
Audi Q3 8U buying guide
The first Q3, built from 2011 to 2018 and facelifted in 2015, with 2.0 TDI diesels, 1.4 and 2.0 TFSI petrols, front-wheel drive or quattro. Both diesels are durable engines, and most of the known issues have a check you can do at the viewing.
The versions
- 2.0 TDI diesel: 140PS and 177PS before the 2015 facelift (EA189), 150PS and 184PS after it (EA288), plus a 120PS front-wheel-drive version
- 1.4 TFSI petrol, 150PS, front-wheel drive, with cylinder-on-demand from 2014
- 2.0 TFSI petrol: 170PS and 211PS early, 180PS and 220PS from the facelift
- Front-wheel drive, or quattro using a Haldex coupling at the rear axle
- 6-speed manual, 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch on 2.0 litre cars, 6-speed S tronic on the 1.4
What to check on a 8U Q3
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
A rattle on cold start, 2.0 TFSI
What to look for: With the engine stone cold, stand at the front of the car while someone starts it. Listen for a rattle or grinding from the engine for the first one to three seconds. A healthy engine settles straight away.
Why it matters: The 2.0 TFSI drives its camshafts with a chain, and the tensioner that keeps it tight is a recognised weak point on this engine family. A brief rattle means the chain is slack until oil pressure builds. Records of chain or tensioner work are worth asking for.
Coolant around the thermostat housing
What to look for: With a torch, look at the plastic housing at the front of the engine where two or three coolant hoses join. It should be dry. Crusty pink, white or pale brown deposits, or a damp film, mean it's weeping. Check the coolant tank level while cold.
Why it matters: A well-known weep point across these engines. The housing is plastic and its seals harden with heat. It's a slow loss rather than a sudden failure, so it often goes unnoticed until the level is low.
Diesel particulate filter and a long run
What to look for: On a TDI, look for a filter warning light, and include at least 20 minutes at a steady 50 to 70mph in the test drive. A light that goes out during the run is a filter that has finished a clean-out cycle. One that stays on, or brings reduced power, needs attention. A VAG-specific reader shows soot and ash loading.
Why it matters: The filter burns off soot on longer runs. Cars used for short journeys can't complete the cycle, and both the EGR valve and filter suffer. Journey pattern predicts filter condition better than mileage, so ask what the car is used for and compare it with the MOT mileage history.
Also in the full guide
- The emissions recall on pre-2015 diesels
- S tronic take-up and its oil service
- Haldex service on quattro cars
- The parking brake and brake lights
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the 8U Q3
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Audi.