Used 2016 Audi A3 for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2016 Audi A3 cost?

Prices have softened 8.51% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 588 listings available, which gives you a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 a good car?

Generally — the 4/5 user rating and 7.83/10 expert rating point to a car that lands well with shoppers who want compact luxury, a classy interior, and an invigorating drivetrain. The A3’s appeal is strongest if you value style, refinement, and added features over sheer size, and the 2016 updates add everyday convenience without changing that formula. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

With 33.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have 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 well-sorted chassis and refined cabin support a strong ownership impression, and the expert notes also point to a drivetrain that feels lively and polished. The standard equipment additions for 2016 help the car feel more complete, which can matter in day-to-day use over time. The performance notes also describe the platform as tight, responsive, and versatile, which is a good sign for durability-minded buyers who want a car that still feels composed as it ages.

If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by harder use.

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

At 55.3% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a collision or shows uneven wear. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, and how the car drives at low and highway speeds, since those clues can reveal whether a past incident was repaired cleanly. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment carefully, because some desirable features are tied to higher trims or packages.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premium trim gives you 17-inch alloy wheels, leather, power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker stereo, automatic 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 rear-view mirror, keyless entry and ignition, while Prestige adds the most technology and convenience features.
• Powertrain: The 1.8-liter engine is the entry point, but the 2.0-liter option brings more power and less turbo lag. The 1.8-liter is FWD only, while AWD is available with other configurations, and the turbodiesel is the slowest but most efficient option.
• Safety package: Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise are part of the higher-tech safety setup. The base Premium trim has to give up lane-keep assist, so check carefully if that feature matters to you.
• Infotainment: The standard MMI interface is a highlight, and the upgraded version adds a touch-sensitive rotary dial. The Tech package brings navigation, voice controls, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, configurable digital gauges, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter sedan is rated at 27 mpg combined, with 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The 2.0-liter FWD setup gains 1 mpg in city driving, and the turbodiesel is rated at 36 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 43 mpg 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 entry point, but it still gives you a strong luxury feature set, including leather, power seats, dual-zone climate control, the standard MMI system, and the 2016 convenience upgrades. It’s the best fit if you want the lowest-cost way into the A3 and can live without the extra tech and comfort features higher trims add.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and 18-inch wheels. It also gets you closer to the more complete luxury experience without jumping all the way to the top trim.
• Prestige: This is the trim for you if you want the fullest tech and safety experience, including adaptive cruise, Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and the Tech package features such as navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, configurable digital gauges, and the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.

The safety-tech package can be added to lower trims, but the base Premium has to sacrifice lane-keep assist.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 588 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.51% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,801, 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 $11,175 sits slightly below last year's $12,214.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, that also means you should expect resale to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment. Cars with stronger feature content and cleaner histories should be easier to move later, especially if they present well and have been maintained carefully.

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 top, 5-star overall rating from government crash tests, with four-star ratings in total front impacts and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests. It also earns Top Safety Pick recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

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

Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, parking sensors, a reversing camera, stability and traction control, and a full suite of airbags all contribute to the A3’s safety story. The base Premium trim does miss lane-keep assist, so if that feature matters to you, you’ll want to verify trim and equipment carefully. The expert notes also mention that the automatic braking system can react unexpectedly in some situations, so it’s worth understanding how the system behaves before you rely on it heavily.

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:

• 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.51% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• Audi added standard reversing camera, parking sensors, and heated washers and mirrors for 2016.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $9,939, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,175 average.
• It broadened appeal by adding a sedan body style.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the better pick if you want the newer feature set, stronger convenience equipment, and a market that has already softened. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the value play, but you give up some of the 2016’s standard equipment and polish.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.