On this day in auto history – June 12th

Sat 12th Jun 2021

It was on this day in 2003 that the second-generation Audi A3 first went on sale in the UK to much fanfare.

Billed as the first car to bring premium brand qualities to the compact hatchback sector, the refreshed A3 - offering a range of high-tech engines - debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and was well-received by motoring critics and buyers alike.

Over the next decade, sales of the Audi A3 helped the compact hatchback sector boom in popularity and it is credited for changing the way premium manufacturers thought about small cars, with both BMW and Mercedes going on to dramatically improve their offering in the sector.

An equally well-received third generation Audi A3 was unveiled in 2013, winning that year's What Car? ‘Car of The Year’ award prior to being named the ‘World Car of The Year’ in 2014.

The tax values are provided by a third-party supplier and while every effort is made to ensure their accuracy please double check with your advisor. If the car was registered after 31/03/2017 then it is subject to new tax rules. All prices we display are for the cars second tax payment onwards. You can find out information on the cars first tax payment here

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017

Rates for second tax payment onwards

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£180	£180	£189	£99	£94.50
Electric	£0	N/A	N/A	£0	N/A
Alternative	£170	£170	£178.50	£93.50	£89.25

Alternative fuel vehicles include hybrids, bioethanol and liquid petroleum gas.

Vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000

You have to pay an extra £390 a year if you have a car with a ‘list price’ (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000. You do not have to pay this if you have a zero emission vehicle.

You only have to pay this rate for 5 years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).

Check the list price with your dealer so you know how much vehicle tax you’ll have to pay.

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£570	£570	£598.50	£313.50	£299.25
Alternative	£560	£560	£588	£308	£294