Faults:

Dual mass flywheel failed. Expensive to replace and no guarantee of replacements longevity. This problem is common among all VW/Audi diesel cars. Needs to be properly addressed by the manufacturer. Dealers seem to see the problem as a revenue stream.

Service intervals as quoted in the manual are totally over-optimistic. My car always needed servicing 3-4k earlier than the official figures.

General Comments:

Comfort: The cabin is under insulated from the noisy diesel engine. Much too noisy for what is supposed to be a "premium" hatchback. You never, ever forget that you are in a diesel car.

Sports suspension makes passengers feel ill on anything other than perfect roads.

My car lacked steering wheel mounted stereo controls. It is an option, but should be standard.

Interior wore its mileage very well. Interior plastics still looked brand new after 5 years. Semi-sport seats are comfy and supportive.

Performance: Decent mid range urge, but the power band/rev range is stupidly narrow. Lag-Lunge-Change-gear power delivery gets tiresome after a while. Gear change is a little clunky.

Handling is fine, not a sports car, but always goes where you point it, and is predictable when you press on a bit. Steering is dead feeling, but direct. A diesel A3 feels a good deal more nose heavy than the petrol equivalent. Good brakes and stable under heavy braking.

Obviously it's not a big car. But has enough room for 2 adults and two kids in most everyday situations. You would probably need a roof rack and roofbox for holidays.

A decent, solid, safe car. Not really any better then a Golf, Renault Megane or Ford Focus. But is a bit more stylish than any of them. Looks and feels a bit more dynamic too.

Faults:

Alternator bust within one month of buying car.

Fan belt at the same time, and another part.

Thankfully all 3 parts replaced under warranty, although a pain on a car that I drive 400-500 miles per week on average.

Dashboard rattles, especially at lower speeds.

Left electric wing mirror does not always fold back out automatically, and gets stuck.

General Comments:

The car looks amazing, and its diesel engine is unbelievably economical, I've managed colossal mileage of 60+ mpg cruising at motorway speeds.

Engine is very quiet ones warmed up, and the turbo gives serious acceleration when needed, although this drinks diesel when you push it.

The paddle shift on the 6 speed DSG auto box adds to the fun.

Sadly, the major flaw of this car is its Sports suspension. It is so bumpy even at low speeds, I feel like my brain is getting shaken. On the motorway it is even worse, and I end up getting headaches on the long drives as you can feel your cheeks vibrating from the bumpy ride.

The front tyres are almost at their legal limit after a few months of driving when there was a lot of tread - I am gentle with the car normally.

The sports suspension does help the car handles really well, however, the sheer lack of comfort and pain I am enduring (my neck is getting stiffer from all the bumps in the road it is absorbing instead of the suspension), is now leading me to want to sell the car after less than 6 months with it.

I feel like I have wasted my money, and no longer wish to get a car with sports suspension, even though the C Class Sport was actually comfortable compared to this!