Used 2016 Audi A3 for Sale near Washington

How much does the 2016 Audi A3 cost?

Prices have softened 7.89% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 566 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 a good car?

Generally — the 4/5 user rating and 7.83/10 expert rating point to a well-regarded compact luxury car. The A3’s well-sorted chassis, classy interior, and invigorating drivetrain make it feel polished, while the overview also highlights added everyday convenience and a more complete feature set for this model year.

The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

For you, that means the A3 makes the most sense if you want entry-level luxury that still feels upscale and practical. 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s 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 well-sorted chassis and the sense of completeness Audi added for this model year. The expert notes also point to a dependable-feeling drivetrain and a cabin that feels more substantial than you might expect at this price point.

The performance notes describe the platform as tight, responsive, and versatile, with a transmission that is up to the task for everyday driving. The cost-effectiveness notes also suggest the FWD 1.8-liter setup is the value play, which can help reduce ownership strain if you keep things simple.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-spec or more complex versions can bring more expensive upkeep, so condition and service history matter a lot.

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

At 54.2% 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 has higher mileage. Focus on bodywork quality, alignment, and how well the cabin and electronics have held up, since this model’s appeal depends heavily on its overall polish.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premium trim gives you luxury basics like leather, power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof on the sedan, and the MMI interface, while higher trims add features such as heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, and more advanced tech. The base trim also misses lane-keep assist.
• Powertrain: You can shop the 1.8-liter turbo engine, the 2.0-liter turbo engine, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel. The 1.8-liter is FWD only and is the efficiency-first choice, while the 2.0-liter adds more power and less turbo lag; the turbodiesel is the torque-rich efficiency pick.
• Safety package: Audi Pre-Sense adds collision-avoidance braking, and the available driver-assistance suite also includes adaptive cruise and 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 a highlight, 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 27 mpg combined. The 2.0-liter FWD setup gains 1 mpg in city driving, and the turbodiesel is rated at 36 mpg combined.

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-focused starting point, and it already gives you a strong luxury baseline with leather, power seats, dual-zone climate control, the standard MMI system, and several upscale touches that make the cabin feel more expensive than the price suggests. If you want the cleanest entry into the A3 lineup, this is the trim to start with.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, a power front passenger seat, 18-inch wheels, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It also gets you closer to the more advanced tech and comfort features without jumping all the way to the top trim.
• Prestige: This is the trim to choose if you want the most complete A3 experience, including adaptive cruise, Audi Pre-Sense with collision-avoidance braking, lane-keep assist, and the Tech package with navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, voice controls, configurable digital gauges, and the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. It’s the most feature-rich choice, but it makes the most sense if you’ll actually use the added technology.

The safety package is strongest on the Prestige, while the base Premium can miss lane-keep assist.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 566 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.89% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.2% 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 $11,009 sits slightly below last year's $11,952.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently now but may limit short-term upside if you plan to resell soon. If you’re a future seller, the best protection is to buy a clean, well-kept example and avoid overpaying for options that the market may not fully reward later.

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 crash, and top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

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

Audi Pre-Sense is the named driver-assistance suite, and it includes collision-avoidance braking. The A3 also offers adaptive cruise and lane-keep assist, along with standard stability and traction control, 4-wheel antilock discs, parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full airbag suite.

One caveat is that the automatic braking system can be intrusive in some situations, so you should test the driver-assistance features carefully during your own drive.

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:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.89% 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, plus a new S Line appearance package.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $9,777, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,009 average.
• It brought Audi style and AWD appeal into a smaller, more accessible package.

The bottom line: If you want the more complete and better-equipped A3, the 2016 is the stronger pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the better value path, especially if you find a clean example with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.