I own an Audi A3 1.8L SE made in 1997 (she's an oldie) and a few months back I noticed that the wipers started to slow down as they traversed the windscreen , it got progressively worse until they were not able to move a few inches before stopping?

I gave it a week or so and they were fine again, but now they dont work at all. Both front and rear wipers. I've tried swapping out the blades, lubricating the joint where they rotate e.t.c and nothing.

Anyone had this problem or knows a fix for this I could do at home?

 

No experience here with that but since you mentioned the front and rear it's unlikely a single wiper motor (unless they didn't stop at the same time?).
Let's assume both stopped working about the same time (not individually) then I would look at the fuses controlling them as well as the steering stalk.

 

Check your fuse by the steering wheel. Might have gone out or possibly the wrong fuse. Easy to replace.