Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 60% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A3 | A-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 769 000 | R 813 124 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 441/m | R 14 212/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 79% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 463 044 | R 489 612 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 305 956 | R 323 512 |
| Value after 5 years | R 342 149 | R 361 781 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi A3 →
The A3 has been Audi's volume passenger car in South Africa since 1997, sold as a Sportback hatch and a sedan. It shares its platform and engines with the VW Golf family while charging a premium for the badge and cabin. Used demand stays steady, and the S3 and RS3 hold value better than base cars.
Known for: golf underpinnings with upmarket cabin
Mercedes-Benz A-Class →
Mercedes' entry model in SA went from quirky tall hatch in the late 1990s to a conventional premium hatch and sedan from 2013. The current W177 generation sold well against the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, but the nameplate is being phased out globally with no direct successor. First-owner depreciation is steep, which makes clean used examples decent value.
Known for: affordable entry to the mercedes badge
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A3 or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
They are close to inseparable: 60% vs 60% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A3 loses about R 305 956 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class loses about R 323 512. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Audi A3 runs about R 13 441 per month and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class about R 14 212, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.