Game through app won't update

Roshumbo​  As a side note, repairing gives you the updated version, whatever that happens to be.  So if you're having trouble updating in the future, that's an easy workaround.

Having said that, since you've reinstalled the game, you must by definition be on the current patch level.  The reason you're not seeing that could be an outdated Default.ini file inside ConfigOverride, in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3.  So have a look there and remove anything you find.