A3 Sportback (8PA) 
A3 Convertible (8P7)
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Car battery by model
With Start-Stop, the Audi A3 (8P, 2003-2013) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A7: AGM, 70 Ah and 760 A, in case size L3. Versions without Start-Stop take the Varta E11 (conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
- 2003-2013
- 22 engines
- AGM · EFB · conventional
- Case L3
Check with your number plateWe show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.
Recommended batteries for the Audi A3 8P
For Start-Stop versions
AGM 70 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 8 of 22 engines
See price and specs Varta A7
For versions without Start-Stop
conventional 74 Ah · 680 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 10 of 22 engines
See price and specs Varta E11
For versions without Start-Stop
conventional 60 Ah · 540 A (EN)
Case L2 · 242 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 12 of 22 engines
See price and specs Varta D24
Equivalent to the Varta E11
conventional 77 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Same dimensions and terminal layout, the same or higher capacity and the same or better technology
See price and specs Exide EA770Audi A3 8P battery by engine
Each row groups the versions that share an engine. When an engine lists more than one battery, it is because the battery changes with the version or equipment: your number plate settles it.
| Engine | Power | Years | Fuel | With Start-Stop | Without Start-Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 TFSICBZB | 77 kW (105 hp) | 2010-2013 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 1.2 TSICBZB | 77 kW (105 hp) | 2010-2013 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + rightVarta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 1.4 TFSICAXC, CMSA | 92 kW (125 hp) | 2007-2013 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + rightVarta N70EFB · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA | 75 kW (102 hp) | 2003-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6 E-PowerCCSA, CMXA | 75 kW (102 hp) | 2011-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6 FSIBAG, BLF, BLP | 85 kW (115 hp) | 2003-2007 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6 TDICAYB, CAYC | 66-77 kW (90-105 hp) | 2009-2013 | Diesel | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 1.8 FSIBPU | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2006-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 TBPU | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2006-2012 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 TFSIBYT, BZB, CDAA | 118 kW (160 hp) | 2006-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 TFSI quattroCDAA | 118 kW (160 hp) | 2008-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.9 TDIBKC, BLS, BXE | 77 kW (105 hp) | 2003-2010 | Diesel | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 FSIAXW, BLR, BLX, BLY, BMB, BVY… | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2003-2008 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 2.0 TDIAZV, BMM, BMN, BUY, CBAA, CBAB… | 100-125 kW (136-170 hp) | 2003-2013 | Diesel | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDI 16VBKD, CBAB, CBEA, CFFB, CLJA | 103 kW (140 hp) | 2003-2013 | Diesel | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDI 16V quattroBKD, CBAB, CFFB | 103 kW (140 hp) | 2004-2013 | Diesel | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TDI quattroAZV, BMM, BMN, CBBB, CFGB | 100-125 kW (136-170 hp) | 2003-2013 | Diesel | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.0 TFSIAXX, BPY, BWA, CAWB, CBFA, CCTA… | 147 kW (200 hp) | 2004-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 2.0 TFSI quattroAXX, BPY, BWA, CBFA, CCTA, CCZA | 147 kW (200 hp) | 2004-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 3.2 V6 quattroBDB, BMJ, BUB | 184 kW (250 hp) | 2003-2009 | Petrol | — | Varta F16conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · L4 · + right |
| RS3 quattroCEPA | 250 kW (340 hp) | 2011-2012 | Petrol | — | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| S3 quattroBHZ, BZC, CDLA, CDLC | 188-195 kW (256-265 hp) | 2006-2013 | Petrol | — | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
With Start-Stop: versions with automatic engine stop-start, or that leave the factory with an EFB or AGM battery. Ah = capacity; A = cold cranking current (EN standard); + right/+ left = side of the positive terminal. Under each engine you will find its engine codes, handy for identifying your version.
What you should know about the Audi A3 8P
The second-generation A3 (8P) includes the three-door, the five-door Sportback and the Cabriolet. The TDI diesels, the S3 and the larger petrol engines take a 74 Ah conventional battery in an L3 case, while most of the TFSI and FSI petrol engines use a 60 Ah battery in an L2. Versions with Start-Stop or a factory-fitted AGM battery (TDI, 1.2 and 1.4 TFSI from the later years) need a 70 Ah, 760 A AGM.
- Model fact: the Audi A3 8P mainly uses case sizes L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm), L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm) and L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm). A battery of a different size will not sit securely in the car’s battery tray.
- General tip: if your car came from the factory with an AGM battery, replace it with another AGM; if it has an EFB, with an EFB or an AGM. A conventional battery in a Start-Stop car wears out much sooner and the system may stop working.
- General tip: on Seat, Volkswagen and Audi models with Start-Stop, the new battery is usually coded into the energy management system with a diagnostic tool, so that the alternator charges it according to its type and capacity.
- General tip: in a compact car that mixes town and open-road driving, the battery suffers most in winter and with lots of equipment switched on (heated rear window, heated seats). If cold starts become sluggish, have it checked before it leaves you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
Which battery does the Audi A3 (8P, 2003-2013) take?
With Start-Stop, the Audi A3 (8P, 2003-2013) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A7: AGM, 70 Ah and 760 A, in case size L3. Versions without Start-Stop take the Varta E11 (conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
Can I fit a standard battery in my Audi A3 with Start-Stop?
It is not recommended. If it came from the factory with an AGM battery, such as the Varta A7, the replacement should also be AGM: with an EFB or a conventional battery it wears out sooner and the Start-Stop system may stop working.
What size battery does the Audi A3 take?
Depending on the engine, the Audi A3 8P uses these case sizes: L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm), L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm) and L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm); dimensions are length × width × height. Also check that the positive terminal is on the same side as on your current battery.
Does the Varta A7 fit the Audi A3 8P?
Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the Audi A3 8P with the 1.2 TFSI, 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TFSI, 1.6 TDI, 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TDI 16V engines (8 of the 22 engines in the table). For the others, check their row in the table or search by number plate.
How do I find out exactly which battery my Audi A3 takes?
Enter your number plate or chassis number (VIN) in our battery finder: it identifies the exact engine and shows you only the compatible batteries. You can also check the label on your current battery: capacity (Ah), cold cranking (A, EN standard) and technology (AGM, EFB or conventional).
Updated: · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.