Audi RS3 Saloon
Five cylinders of fury in a compact saloon.
CarCheckr Score
Outstanding
RS3 Saloon Launch Edition
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
What We Love
- Iconic five-cylinder engine
- Torque vectoring rear diff
- Compact and agile
- Quattro AWD
Watch Out For
- Expensive for the class
- Firm ride
- Small rear headroom
How to Buy This Car
Our recommendation on the best way to finance your purchase.
Audi Financial Services PCP is the recommended route. The RS3's strong residuals and Audi's competitive rates make for a manageable monthly payment with solid GFV protection.
Advantages
- Strong Audi residuals support GFV
- Competitive manufacturer rates
- Upgrade to next RS3 generation at end of term
Watch Out For
- Interest adds to total cost
- Annual mileage limits can be restrictive
This is our independent opinion based on the car's depreciation profile, reliability record, and typical finance rates. Always get personalised financial advice before committing.
Used Buying Guide
Buying a Used Audi RS3 Saloon
What to look for — and what to avoid — when buying this car on the used market.
What to look for
- 8Y generation (2021–) is the definitive RS3 — torque vectoring rear diff transforms the handling
- Five-cylinder engine is a future classic — well-maintained examples will hold value strongly
- Saloon body is rarer than the Sportback and commands a small premium — easier to resell
- Quattro AWD makes used examples genuinely usable year-round without compromise
- Full Audi dealer service history is common on RS3s — hold out for a documented example
Watch-outs
- Check for remapping — the five-cylinder responds well to tuning but it can affect reliability
- Torque vectoring rear differential is expensive to repair — check for any unusual handling behaviour
- Firm ride on standard suspension — test on UK roads before committing, especially if comfort matters
- 8V generation (2015–2020) had some DSG reliability concerns at high mileage — check service history
- Carbon ceramic brakes (optional) are expensive to replace — verify brake specification before buying
Our Verdict
The RS3 Saloon's five-cylinder engine is one of the great automotive soundtracks. The torque vectoring rear differential transforms the handling, and the compact dimensions make it devastatingly quick on B-roads.
How This Score Was Built
Every CarCheckr score combines multiple independent data sources, weighted by category.
Manufacturer Specs
Official performance & safety data
Owner Reports
Real-world reliability data from owners
Expert Testing
Independent road test results
Residual Values
Three-year depreciation data
Running Costs
Insurance, fuel & servicing costs
Safety Ratings
Euro NCAP crash test results
Key Details
- Make
- Audi
- Model
- RS3 Saloon
- Year
- 2024
- Variant
- RS3 Saloon Launch Edition
- Category
- Performance Saloon
- Price from
- £63,000
