Trade in: 2012 Audi A3
None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 7.4 to 10.0 L/100 km combined (EPA). 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 7.4 to 10.0 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 4

For sale
We do not have a 2012 Audi A3 for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.
2012 Audi A3 specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo | 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo | 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo | 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed manual | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Diesel | Premium gas | Premium gas | Premium gas |
| City | 8.1 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km | 11.4 L/100 km | 11.3 L/100 km |
| Highway | 6.4 L/100 km | 8.5 L/100 km | 7.8 L/100 km | 8.4 L/100 km |
| Combined | 7.4 L/100 km | 9.7 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 10.0 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 198 g/km | 230 g/km | 230 g/km | 230 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $11.47 | $16.97 | $17.15 | $17.50 |
2012 Audi A3: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.0 L | 2.0 L | 2.0 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MPG city (US) | 29 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| MPG highway (US) | 37 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
| MPG combined (US) | 32 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 38 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet) | 566 L (20 cu ft) | 566 L (20 cu ft) | 566 L (20 cu ft) | 566 L (20 cu ft) |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$3,000 | US$3,400 | US$3,400 | US$3,400 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $2,294 | $3,394 | $3,430 | $3,500 |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 2012 Audi A3
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags (31), electrical system (6) and exterior lighting (5). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V862000 | 2019-12-04 | air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring... |
| 18V082000 | 2018-01-30 | air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the... |
| 16V079000 | 2016-02-10 | air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. |
| 11V490000 | 2011-10-03 | fuel system, diesel | VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009... |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Thinking of buying the 2012 Audi A3?
CarmaCars is a rental company and does not have the 2012 Audi A3 for sale right now. Rent one for a week first, or ask us to look for one. Buying the 2012 Audi A3 is a big decision; here is the information we have.
What to check on the A3
In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered. There are 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file; a dealer can check by the VIN whether each was done. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. Ask the seller for the service records of this exact car.
Specs, explained
Under the hood: the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo and front-wheel drive. It runs on diesel, sold at most highway stations. Front-wheel drive is the usual layout for cars this size, predictable in the rain and the snow.
Expect about 22 litres for every 300 km, going by its 7.4 L/100 km combined rating. Every 100 km costs about $11.47 in fuel at our price setting. EPA puts its fuel cost at US$3,000 a year for 15,000 miles at US prices.
Best uses
It suits a work trip where a reliable car matters more than anything else. It suits a stretch between cars, by the week or the month.
Space and size
As a wagon, it has the length of a car with a bigger load space at the back. Luggage space is 566 litres, enough for bulky luggage, a stroller or sports gear.
Drive it on your own roads
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent the A3 first, and buy only if it fits your life. A test week in the A3 tells you more than any review.
Picking a year and a trim
If you are unsure between two options, rent one of them for a week first. Look at a few listings of the same year and trim to get a feel for fair prices. Ask the seller which trim it is; badges can be swapped and options vary.
What it costs to run
Tires, brakes and batteries are the regular costs to budget for beyond fuel. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary. A pre-purchase inspection is a small cost next to the price of the car.
Want a price?
Tell us the model and the dates, and we reply with an offer.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 2012 Audi A3 from us first.
Find me this car
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2012 Audi A3 for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 2012 Audi A3
Does CarmaCars sell the 2012 Audi A3?
Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 2012 Audi A3 before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 2012 Audi A3 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 2012 Audi A3 cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$3,000 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $2294.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.