Audi VIN decoder
Enter a Audi VIN to see the model, year, engine, factory and open safety recalls. Free, with official NHTSA data.
About Audi VINs
Audi cars start with WAU and Audi SUVs, such as the Q5 and Q7, with WA1. High-performance models from Audi Sport, such as the R8, can start with WUA, and the TT built in Hungary started with TRU.
Audi is part of Volkswagen Group.
Good to know
- Positions 7-8 usually hold the Audi model code, for example 8V for one A3 generation.
- Option codes (PR codes) are printed on the data sticker in the spare-wheel well or the service book.
- Audi and Volkswagen share many plants and parts, but each brand has its own WMI.
Audi manufacturer codes (WMI)
The first three characters of a VIN are the World Manufacturer Identifier. NHTSA lists 5 codes for Audi. The first character shows the region where the vehicle was built (1, 4, 5 USA; 2 Canada; 3 Mexico; J Japan; K Korea; W Germany; Z Italy).
| Code | Manufacturer | Country | Vehicle type | Also used by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRU | Audi AG | Hungary | Passenger Car | – |
| WA1 | Audi AG | Germany | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| WAU | Audi AG | Germany | Passenger Car | – |
| WU1 | Audi Sport GmbH | Germany | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| WUA | Audi Sport GmbH | Germany | Passenger Car | – |
How to read a Audi VIN
| Position | Meaning | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Manufacturer code (WMI) | Maker, brand and country, as in the table above. |
| 4-8 | Vehicle descriptor | Model, body, engine and safety equipment. Each maker sets its own layout here. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that catches typing errors and fake VINs. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the year (see the table below). |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory code, set by the maker. |
| 12-17 | Serial number | The production number of that vehicle. |
Model year codes
The 10th character of a Audi VIN is the model year. Letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used. The codes repeat every 30 years.
Audi models in the NHTSA database
NHTSA lists 57 model names under Audi. Decode a VIN to see which one yours is, with its exact trim and engine.
Audi models with years and recalls
All Audi model names
- 80
- 90
- 100
- 200
- 4000
- 5000
- A3
- A4
- A4 allroad
- A5
- A6
- A6 allroad
- A7
- A7 e
- A8
- A8 e
- A8 L
- A8 L e
- allroad
- Cabriolet
- Coupe
- e-tron
- e-tron GT
- e-tron Sportback
- Q3
- Q4
- Q5
- Q5 e
- Q6
- Q7
- Q8
- Q9
- R8
- RS 3
- RS 4
- RS 5
- RS 6
- RS 6 Avant
- RS 7
- RS e-tron GT
- RS Q8
- S3
- S4
- S5
- S6
- S7
- S8
- S e-tron GT
- SQ5
- SQ6
- SQ7
- SQ8
- SQ9
- TT
- TT RS
- TTS
- V8
Vehicle types NHTSA lists for Audi
Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), Passenger Car
Where to find the VIN on a Audi
Windshield
At the bottom of the windshield on the driver side, readable from outside.
Driver door frame
On the label on the door pillar, with tire pressures and weights.
Papers
On the title, registration and insurance card.
Audi recalls by VIN
Every decoded Audi VIN on VinGear shows the safety recalls NHTSA lists for that model and year. To know whether the repair was already done on your vehicle, ask a Audi dealer or use Audi's own recall lookup with the VIN.
Audi VIN decoder questions
How do I decode a Audi VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN in the box at the top of this page and press Decode VIN. You get the model, year, engine, factory and safety recalls from NHTSA, free.
Is this Audi VIN decoder free?
Yes. Decoding and recall checks are free with no sign-up. The data comes from NHTSA, the US vehicle safety agency.
What do the first three characters of a Audi VIN mean?
They are the manufacturer code (WMI): maker, brand and country of manufacture. NHTSA lists 5 codes for Audi; the table on this page shows them.
Does a Audi VIN show options or the owner?
No. The VIN codes the model, body, engine and factory, not options or colour. It never shows the owner, and VinGear does not look up owners.