1999 AUDI A3

Audi A3 1.6

December 1997 Build- July 1999 Registered New

MOT 28th December 2026

59,000 Miles

Original and unmodified

Cambelt and water pump @ 51000 (April ’22)

2 keys plus back-up plastic key-blades

6 owners (longest for 19 years!)

Cat-N (Non-structural) Write-off 26/04/2018

I have owned this car for around 2 years, but owing to having too many cars I really haven;t used it enough so whilst I love it, it really needs to go.

The cheapest and most basic Audi you could buy in the late 90s was the A3 1.6, this one with just the single optional extra of the rather wonderful Paradise Green (LY6K) metallic paint. It still has the basics covered, electric front windows with pop-out rears, electric mirrors, central-locking, Audi Concert Radio Cassette player and the lovely 15-inch pepperpot alloy wheels

The bodywork is remarkably rust free and straight with an incredibly clean underside more aligned with a car of 5 years old. The Paradise green paintwork has suffered from fading to the roof bonnet and tops of the bumpers as is unfortunately common with bright green and yellow cars, but it still looks great and attracts many compliments for its condition. When you get close there are various small marks and scratches, this is definitely not a concours example.

The interior is in good shape with all the switches and buttons working and firm sets without rips or tears. There is some scratching to the soft-touch plastics as is common on these, but it all presents well. The headlining sagged recently so is currently pinned-up, but should be a fairly easy job to recover and one of the glovebox hinges is broken.

In my ownership I’ve fitted new parts in order to keep it running and driving as well as possible including a Hella MAF and ignition coil as well as fresh Bosch spark plugs, new rear caliper and brake fluid and a new battery. The car is running very nicely with surprisingly decent performance for a 1.6 and stops and turns as it should. There are no warning lights or concerning noises. I have just serviced it with new oil and filter (Castrol and Bosch), with the air filter replaced last year and still in good order

The cambelt and waterpump changed in April 2022 at approx 51k miles. The full book pack includes the service booklet with 18 stamps.

The tyres are all matching Dunlops (all 5!) with good tread but are all quite old, luckily replacements can be had for around £230 for 4 mid-range tyres. Parts in general are cheap and easy to get hold of. Wheels are in decent shape.

It’s an interesting and different car which can genuinely be used everyday, a phone mount and an FM transmitter makes you wonder whether you need anything else. I took it to the Festival of the Unexceptional where it was well-received and made Hagerty’s article “Totally Tropical: The teals, turquoise, and vivid greens at this year’s FOTU”. The 1st generation (8L) A3 has become a rare sight on our roads and in paradise green is something of a unicorn.

It has good history with 18f stamps up until 2020 and the original book pack. It was registered as Category N (non structural) write-off in 2018 and returned to the road by the same long-term owner, but I am not sure why it was written-off, but given the value at the time it was likely something very minor, before they were forced to part with it due to the introduction of the ULEZ charge.I have serviced and worked on it myself with parts receipts included with the history. I am not aware of any functional issues or anything that is required currently. It was originally an import form the Netherlands via “Audi tax Free Sales” which is Audi’s program offering vehicles to military personnel and diplomats, but it is full UK specification and RHD.

Viewings and inspections are very much welcomed. I can pick you up from Nailsea and Backwell Train Station or Bristol Airport if desired.

No more than 2 people per viewing, This is due to an unfortunate experience in the past.