Audi A3 Brake Pads: Specs, Fitment & Wear Symptoms

On the A3, Audi's own corporate escalation genuinely concluded, after a week of communication, that the brakes were "squeaking more than normal" — plus a fix using a specific wheel cleaner and confirmation of a known batch of affected pads.

OEM Part Number: 8V0698151G

Accuracy note: genuine Audi part numbers differ significantly by generation — 8V (2012 onwards) uses a different reference from the earlier 8P (2006-2013).

8V generation (2015 onwards), front pads, PR code 1ZA (312mm rotors)	Audi OEM: 8V0698151G — includes disc brake pad wear sensor, non-S3
8P generation (2006-2013), front pads	Audi OEM: 5K0698151B (also referenced as 5K0698151)
Earlier 8P reference, front pads	Audi OEM: 1K0698151F

Shared Underpinnings, Not Always Shared Parts

The A3 shares its underlying MQB platform with the VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon, but that doesn't automatically mean brake components are interchangeable across every trim and engine combination — always worth confirming before assuming a part will fit.

Before you buy: pad size and compound vary by engine (mild-hybrid petrol, PHEV, or performance S3/RS3) and wheel size. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

What They Do

Brake pads clamp against the discs to convert the car's momentum into heat, slowing it down. The plug-in hybrid 40 TFSI e version of the A3 uses regenerative braking to recover energy under normal deceleration, which can affect both pad wear patterns and pedal feel compared with the standard mild-hybrid petrol version.

Common Sizes

Mild-hybrid petrol (front)	Standard size — confirm via VIN
40 TFSI e plug-in hybrid	Confirm compatibility given added battery weight
S3 / RS3 performance	Larger, high-performance brake package

A Genuinely Honest, Real Account Worth Knowing

If a dealer initially dismisses brake squeal as normal, this is genuinely worth knowing: one documented case saw the manufacturer's own corporate customer service escalate a complaint over a full week, only to eventually conclude the brakes were simply "squeaking more than normal" — a genuinely vague finding, though the pads were replaced anyway. It's worth persisting through this kind of escalation even if initial responses feel dismissive.

A genuinely useful, real fix worth trying first: one documented case saw a persistent squeak resolved entirely using a specific wheel cleaner product, removing metallic brake dust stuck to the rotor surface. A dealer's own service attendant separately confirmed a specific batch of brake pads had been identified with this exact squeaking issue.

It's also genuinely worth knowing a proper technique that's sometimes skipped: chamfering the leading edge of new pads and applying proper brake lubricant to all metal-to-metal contact points, not just the rear of the pad, is the correct procedure for preventing squeal. It's also worth knowing that an intermittent squeal, even when properly recorded and provided to a dealer, can genuinely go unresolved even after several separate visits.

Wear Symptoms, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Brake Pads Guide for warning signs to watch for, confirming fitment against your VIN, and R90-certified aftermarket brands worth trusting.

More Audi Brake Pads

The same part, covered across other Audi models.