Online VIN decoderFree Audi VIN lookup
Have the VIN of an Audi? Enter all 17 characters and see the model, engine, model year and plant for free, then check the history: accidents, title brands and odometer.
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Where to find the VIN on an Audi
On an Audi the VIN plate sits at the lower left of the windshield and on the driver-side door jamb; the same 17 characters are printed on the title, the registration card and the insurance card. If any of them differ, stop and check the vehicle history.
- Dashboard, driver side
Look through the windshield in the lower left corner, where the dash meets the glass.
- Driver-side door jamb
The sticker or plate on the B-pillar or door edge (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard label).
- Engine bay or frame
Stamped on the firewall or, on trucks, on the frame rail near the front wheel.
- Title certificate
Every state title shows the VIN near the year, make and model.
- Registration card
The registration card in the glove box repeats the VIN.
- Compare with the car
If the VIN on the title differs from the one on the dashboard, do not buy until it is explained.
- Insurance ID card
Your insurance card or app lists the VIN of each covered vehicle.
- Policy documents
The declarations page of the policy shows the full VIN too.
- Service records
Repair orders and dealer invoices usually carry the VIN as well.
How to recognize an Audi VIN
Audi is a brand from Germany. The first three characters of the VIN (the WMI code) identify the maker and, often, the plant or the market the vehicle was built for.
Example: a VIN that starts with WAU stands for Audi AG, Germany (cars). On Audi vehicles sold in Europe the 10th character does not always encode the year; for US-market vehicles it always does; the last six characters are the production number. A VIN that starts with another code is not necessarily a problem (makers change codes over time), but it is worth checking the history before you buy.
Audi plants in North America
A VIN that starts with 1, 4 or 5 was assigned in the United States, 2 in Canada and 3 in Mexico. Audi builds or built vehicles for the US market here:
- San José Chiapa, Mexico (Q5, 2016+)
Audi VIN decoder by model
| Model | Production years | Generations | Engine versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A4 | 1994–present | 24 | 544 |
| Audi A6 | 1994–present | 26 | 410 |
| Audi 80 | 1972–1996 | 8 | 134 |
| Audi A8 | 1994–present | 14 | 95 |
| Audi 100 | 1968–1994 | 13 | 155 |
| Audi TT | 1998–present | 27 | 104 |
| Audi A5 | 2007–present | 12 | 256 |
| Audi A3 | 1996–present | 17 | 326 |
| Audi V8 (D11) | 1988–1994 | 1 | 5 |
| Audi Coupe | 1980–1996 | 4 | 56 |
| Audi A7 | 2010–present | 3 | 29 |
| Audi Q7 | 2005–present | 4 | 41 |
What each part of an Audi VIN means
For Audi: WAU, WA1, WUA, TRU. The first character is the region (Germany).
Audi codes the model line, body style and engine here, which is why the VIN shows which version of the Audi A4 you are looking at.
Every Audi sold in the US carries a valid check digit; our decoder flags a VIN whose check digit does not compute.
Plant code and the unique production number of the Audi, which history reports use to link accidents, title brands and odometer readings.
The full guide: year codes, WMI countries and the check digit · Audi VIN check: history, recalls, title
Decoded Audi VIN examples
Real Audi VINs decoded on DecodeThatVIN, with the model and engine read from the code.
What does an Audi VIN start with?
Usually one of these codes: WAU – Audi AG, Germany (cars); WA1 – Audi AG, Germany (SUVs); WUA – Audi Sport GmbH (R8, RS models); TRU – Audi Hungaria, Győr (e.g. TT). The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI); a maker can have several, one per plant, vehicle type or market.
Where are Audi vehicles for the US built?
In North America, Audi builds or built at San José Chiapa, Mexico (Q5, 2016+). Imported Audi vehicles keep the code of their home plant.
Does the VIN show the model year of an Audi?
On Audi vehicles built for North America, yes. On European-market Audi vehicles the 10th character is not always the year, so the decoder estimates it from the production years of the model; the date of first registration on the documents settles it.
Can I see the history of an Audi from its VIN?
The free decode shows what the car is. Accidents, title brands and odometer readings are in the Audi history report; recalls are checked on the Audi VIN check page.