Used 2016 Audi A3 for Sale near California

How much does the 2016 Audi A3 cost?

Prices have softened 7.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 580 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Audi A3 earns a 4/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

Audi’s pitch here is entry-level luxury with more polish and practicality than you might expect, and the A3 backs that up with a classy interior, a well-sorted chassis, and an invigorating drivetrain. It also fits a useful role as a compact luxury car that can feel upscale without giving up everyday usability.

The market shows 32.2% of listings as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The A3’s reliability case is helped by its polished chassis and the sense that Audi kept adding useful standard equipment without making the car feel overcomplicated. Its drivetrain is described as invigorating, and the overall package is presented as well sorted rather than fragile or fussy.

The performance notes also point to a transmission that is up to the task, even if it feels dated by modern standards. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the car you choose has been maintained carefully, especially if you’re considering a higher-spec or more heavily equipped example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Audi A3?

At 54.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of bodywork, alignment, and any signs of prior repair. It also makes sense to focus on how the car’s equipment and condition line up with the trim you’re considering, since the A3’s appeal depends heavily on features and refinement.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premium trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, leather, power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker stereo, xenon headlights, LED running lights, auto wipers, a panoramic sunroof on the sedan, and the MMI interface with retractable display. Premium Plus adds 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, power for the front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless entry and ignition, while Prestige adds the most technology and the S Line appearance package.
• Powertrain: The 1.8-liter turbo engine makes 170 hp and is FWD only, while the 2.0-liter turbo adds 50 hp and 58 lb-ft of torque and is the stronger choice if you want more punch. A turbodiesel option is also mentioned, with 150 hp and 236 lb-ft, but it is the slowest of the group.
• Safety package: Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise are part of the higher-tech safety setup, while the base Premium has to give up lane-keep assist. Standard safety equipment includes stability and traction control, 4-wheel antilock discs, parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full airbag suite.
• Infotainment: The standard MMI interface is well regarded, and the upgraded version adds a touch-sensitive rotary dial. The Tech package brings navigation, voice controls, a Wi-Fi hotspot, configurable digital gauges, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter sedan is rated at 23 mpg city and 33 highway, while the 2.0-liter AWD convertible is rated at 23 mpg city and 32 highway. The turbodiesel is listed at 31 mpg city and 43 highway.

Which 2016 Audi A3 trim should I buy?

The 2016 Audi A3 is offered in 3 trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige.

Here's the short version:

• Premium: This is the value play if you want the A3’s core strengths without stretching your budget. You still get the upscale cabin, strong standard equipment, and the features that make the car feel more premium than its price suggests.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, power adjustments for the front passenger seat, and 18-inch wheels. It also gets you closer to the richer equipment mix that makes the A3 feel fully luxury-grade.
• Prestige: This is the trim to choose if you want the most technology and the most complete feature set. It adds the top-end driver-assistance and tech content, plus the S Line appearance package for a more aggressive look.

The base Premium trim does not get lane-keep assist, so if that feature matters to you, shop higher in the range.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Audi A3?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to compare listings carefully and move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 580 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,799, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Audi A3's resale value?

The current average of $10,937 sits slightly below last year's $11,817.

That decline suggests the A3 has already absorbed some of its near-term depreciation, which can help future sellers if the car is bought at the right price. The current market also shows a fairly tight year-round range, which can support resale stability if you keep the car in good condition.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 safe?

The 2016 Audi A3 earns a five-star overall rating in government crash tests, with four-star ratings in frontal impacts.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise are part of the A3’s safety tech story, and the car also includes standard stability and traction control, 4-wheel antilock discs, parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full airbag suite. The base Premium trim gives up lane-keep assist, so safety-minded shoppers may want to move up the trim ladder.

Independent testing also gave the A3 top scores across the board, including for seat and head restraints in whiplash mitigation.

Should I buy a 2016 Audi A3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• Audi added useful standard equipment and a new S Line appearance package this year.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $9,891, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $10,937 average.
• It was a strong market success with a distinctive compact luxury appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the better-equipped and more polished version of the A3, the 2016 is the smarter target. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 can still make sense, especially if you find a clean example with the features you want.

How does the 2016 Audi A3 compare to the 2016 BMW 2 Series?

Our experts score the 2016 Audi A3 7.8/10 and the 2016 BMW 2 Series 7/10.

The A3 gives you the stronger value proposition here, with a lower average used price and more listings to shop. The BMW 2 Series brings more horsepower and a bit more highway efficiency, but the Audi counters with a more accessible market and a better expert score. If you want the more affordable luxury buy, the A3 is the easier recommendation; if you want more power and can spend more, the BMW is the alternative to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.