Sell your 2011 Audi A3 for cash

The 2011 Audi A3 is a wagon that came with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine. At 15 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 2011 A3 in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 2011 A3

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

2011 Audi A3 at a glance

Body styleSmall Station Wagons
Engines2.0L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsManual 6-spd, Automatic (S6)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline, Diesel
Fuel economy21–29 city / 28–37 highway / 24–32 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,000–$3,400 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂318–370 grams per mile
Gross vehicle weight rating4,497–4,740 lb
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: A3, A3 quattro
Age15 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 15 years old, most of a 2011 A3's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 A3. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags, typically around 56,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2011 Audi A3 recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2011 Audi A3. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsDec 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V862000

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 after long-term…

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Air BagsJan 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V082000

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 inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Air BagsFeb 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V079000

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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fuel System, DieselOct 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V490000

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 through september 2011…

Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.

Common 2011 A3 problems

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 2011 Audi A3 with NHTSA. 1 report involved a fire.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags20
  • Engine6
  • Fuel/Propulsion System6
  • Electrical System4
  • Fuel System, Diesel4
  • Exterior Lighting3

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags56,000 mi
  • Engine50,000 mi
  • Fuel/Propulsion System61,000 mi
  • Electrical System75,000 mi
  • Fuel System, Diesel37,000 mi
  • Exterior Lighting75,000 mi

2011 Audi A3 service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 853 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2011 Audi A3. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment82
  • Electrical System78
  • Fuel System73
  • Equipment65
  • Engine and Engine Cooling57
  • Unknown or Other49

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · TSB_2052680_2

    This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · TSB_2074846_5

    This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.

  • OtherSep 2026 · SM 39-2026

    This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2026 · TSB_2074436_3

    This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2011 Audi A3.

Fuel System, DieselPE11023 · opened Aug 2011, closed Dec 2011Led to recall 11V490000

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped

Fuel System, DieselEA11003 · opened Feb 2011, closed Mar 2015

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Vo

Selling a 2011 A3: questions

How much is a 2011 Audi A3 worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2011 A3 that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2011 A3s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2011 A3 with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Audi A3; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2011 A3?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 2011 A3 today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer