German engineering is considered a benchmark for prestige, and the ability of used cars of this size to hold a high price is almost legendary. But be careful! Even in the premium segment, there are exceptions that can turn the dream of the “four circles“ into a costly headache. A typical example is the first generation of the Audi Q3 after its facelift - a crossover that today looks like a bargain, but hides its dark secrets under the sophisticated bodywork.
On the secondary market, these cars, aged between eight and ten years, are often offered at tempting prices, with the basic versions with front-wheel drive being downright “budget“ by the brand's standards. Statistics show that there are a lot of four-wheel drive models with an average mileage of around 130,000 "real" kilometers. On paper, this sounds like a car that still has a lot of life left in it, but the devil, as always, is in the details of the powertrain.
The truth is that the Audi Q3 is a wonderful car in terms of comfort and dynamics, as long as you don't open the topic of engines and transmissions. The gasoline turbo units with a displacement of 1.4 and 2.0 liters are famous for their capricious nature. They often do not inspire confidence either in terms of their resource or long-term operation, as their maintenance requires surgical precision and a serious budget. As for transmissions, the DQ250 and DQ500 robotic boxes rule here. Although after 2015 their main “childhood diseases“ were cured thanks to wet clutches, they still require increased attention.
Theoretically, this crossover should serve you faithfully up to 200,000 or even 250,000 km, but the question is at what price. Audi support invariably hits the pocket harder than that of its “cousin” Volkswagen Tiguan, and engine and robotic component repairs are almost guaranteed with age.
To top it all off, the adventurous spirit of the model is slightly limited by its geometry. Although the ground clearance on the documents is 170 mm, the reality on the asphalt (or off it) shows more like 160 mm. This is completely decent for a city hatchback, but for a car claiming to be a crossover, it is simply low. Therefore, before you embark on a purchase, weigh carefully whether the brilliance of the emblem is worth the potential financial sacrifices. And what copies of the Q3 model are sold on the domestic market, you can see HERE.