Used 2016 Audi A3 for Sale nearSan Jose, CA

How much does the 2016 Audi A3 cost?

Prices have softened 5.75% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 616 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

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.

The A3 is aimed at you if you want an entry-level luxury car that feels polished, practical, and engaging. Its well-sorted chassis, classy interior, and invigorating drivetrain support that mission, while the newly standard reversing camera, parking sensors, and heated washers and mirrors add everyday convenience.

The market also shows 33.8% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

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 polished drivetrain point to a car that should feel composed in daily use, and the expert notes also emphasize its strong overall execution. The performance write-up describes the platform as tight, responsive, and versatile, which is the kind of character that usually ages well when the car is maintained properly.

The cost-effectiveness notes also point to a model that can be a strong value if you choose the right configuration, especially the FWD 1.8-liter setup. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec or more complex versions can be more expensive to keep satisfying over time.

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

At 54.7% 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 careful inspection of bodywork, electronics, and any signs of prior repair quality. Focus on whether the car’s convenience and safety features work as intended, since this model’s appeal depends heavily on its equipment and overall condition.

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, 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 brings the most technology and the S Line appearance package.
• Powertrain: You can get a 1.8-liter engine with 170 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 50 more hp and 58 lb-ft more torque, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 150 hp and 236 lb-ft. The 1.8-liter is only available with FWD, while the other setups bring more power and, in some cases, AWD.
• 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 lacks lane-keep assist, so you need to move up or add equipment if that feature matters to you.
• Infotainment: The standard MMI interface is paired with a 10-speaker stereo, while the upgraded system adds a touch-sensitive rotary dial, navigation, voice controls, a Wi-Fi hotspot, configurable digital gauges, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were coming in 2017, so they are not part of this model year’s standard setup.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter sedan is rated at 23 mpg city and 33 highway, the 2.0-liter FWD setup gains 1 mpg in city driving, the AWD convertible is rated at 23 mpg city and 32 highway, and the turbodiesel is rated 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 interior, strong standard equipment, and the features that make the car feel more complete, but you’ll want to check whether the missing lane-keep assist matters to you.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, power adjustment for the front passenger seat, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. It’s the trim that most clearly balances added comfort with a still-reasonable step up.
• Prestige: Choose this if you want the fullest tech and safety experience, including adaptive cruise, Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and the upgraded Tech package. It also brings the S Line appearance package and the most premium-feeling feature set.

The safety package note to keep in mind is that the base Premium trim does not get 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: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 616 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.75% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,793, 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 $10,977 sits slightly below last year's $11,646.

That softer pricing suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can make it harder for a future seller to command a premium unless the car is especially well kept. If you’re planning to resell later, condition and trim choice will matter a lot, especially because the best-equipped versions are more likely to stand out.

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 from 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 the key driver-assistance features to look for, and the car also includes standard stability and traction control, 4-wheel antilock discs, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full suite of airbags. The base Premium trim does not include lane-keep assist, so that’s a meaningful trim-level gap if safety tech is a priority.

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:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.75% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 adds newly standard reversing camera, parking sensors, and heated washers and mirrors, plus an available S Line appearance package.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $9,805, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $10,977 average.
• It brought Audi style and all-wheel-drive appeal into a smaller, more accessible package.

The bottom line: If you want the more complete and better-equipped version of this car, the 2016 is the stronger pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 remains the cheaper path into the A3 nameplate.

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 Audi gives you the better value proposition here, with a lower average used price and more listings to choose from. The BMW counters with stronger horsepower and highway MPG, but the Audi’s broader inventory and lower price make it the easier car to shop if you want a compact luxury model with more accessible pricing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.