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Audi A3 8L common faults.

1996–2003. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Audi A3 8L

order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical2

expensive4

Dual mass flywheel: diesel

expensive

The internal springs of the flywheel tire, and the two discs knock against each other.

Applies to the engine ALH, AGR, AHF and 4 more.

PD TDI: camshaft and rocker wear

expensive

The PD injectors (on the 1.4, 1.9 and 2.0 TDI alike) are driven by the camshaft itself, against more than 2,000 bar.

Applies to the engine ASZ, ATD, AXR.

comfort2

Secondary air system: pump and combination valve (P0411)

comfort

From the late nineties to around 2006, petrol engines used a secondary air pump to blow fresh air into the exhaust on a cold start, so the catalytic converter reaches operating temperature faster.

Applies to the engine AEH, AGN, AGU and 15 more.

1 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

8L · 1996–2003

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

72 versions

Showing 60 of 72 versions.

Neighbouring generations

8L · 1996–2003

8L (1996-2003). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

8L · 1996–2003

Next generation

8P · 2003–2012

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

1996–2003. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms