VIN guide
Audi VIN Decoder
An Audi VIN carries the manufacturer, model line, model year, and plant in its 17 characters. This guide explains how Audi uses each position and where a decode stops short.
VIN decoder
- Paste the 17-character VIN
- Press Decode
- Read specs & recalls
Decoded vehicle
Privacy (DPPA): this site does not provide owner names, addresses or any other personal information from DMV records. Results cover the vehicle only.
What public NHTSA data has for this vehicle
Open safety recalls
What is in a vehicle history report? →
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How an Audi VIN is structured
A VIN is 17 characters. For Audi, the first three characters (the World Manufacturer Identifier, or WMI) identify who built the vehicle and where the brand sits. Positions 4 through 8 describe the vehicle, position 9 is a check digit, position 10 is the model year, position 11 is the plant, and positions 12 through 17 are the sequential serial number. The decode tool above returns NHTSA vPIC specifications and open NHTSA recalls for the VIN you enter.
Audi WMI codes
The WMI is the most reliable part of an Audi VIN to read by hand. Common codes include:
| WMI | Typically indicates |
|---|---|
| WAU | Audi cars built by Audi AG (passenger cars such as A3, A4, A6) |
| WA1 | Audi SUVs and MPVs, including Q-model crossovers |
| WUA | Audi Sport / quattro GmbH models (for example R8 and RS variants) |
| TRU | Audi vehicles built in Hungary (for example the TT) |
These assignments can vary by model year and by production location, and Audi has used other WMIs over time. Confirm the code for your specific vehicle against the NHTSA Audi VIN breakdown sheet for that model year rather than relying on a single table.
What each position means on an Audi
- Positions 1-3 (WMI): manufacturer and country/region of assembly, as above.
- Positions 4-8 (vehicle descriptor): Audi uses these to encode model, body style, engine, and restraint system details. The exact meaning changes by model year and model line.
- Position 9 (check digit): a calculated character used to validate the VIN. It is not a specification.
- Position 10 (model year): a letter or digit code. See the table below.
- Position 11 (plant): the assembly plant code. This varies by model and year; check the breakdown sheet for your model year.
- Positions 12-17 (serial): the production sequence number.
Model-year codes (position 10)
| Code | Model year |
|---|---|
| A | 2010 |
| B | 2011 |
| C | 2012 |
| D | 2013 |
| E | 2014 |
| F | 2015 |
| G | 2016 |
| H | 2017 |
| J | 2018 |
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
| P | 2023 |
| R | 2024 |
| S | 2025 |
| T | 2026 |
| V | 2027 |
The letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the digit 0 are not used for model years in the standard cycle. A vehicle built late in a calendar year can carry the next model year's code, so the code reflects the model year, not necessarily the build date.
Plant codes
Position 11 identifies the plant, but Audi's plant letters are not consistent across every model and year. Audi's German plants include Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, and Q5 production has also run at San Jose Chiapa in Mexico. Rather than guessing a letter, check the NHTSA Audi VIN breakdown sheet for the model year in question, or compare the VIN against the vehicle's data sticker.
What a VIN decode cannot tell you on an Audi
A VIN decode is useful for confirming identity, model year, and recall status. It is not a full build sheet. Several things Audi owners often want are not encoded in the 17 characters:
- Factory option packages and PR codes. Audi encodes equipment as PR codes (production codes) on the data sticker, typically found in the spare-wheel well or in the service book. A VIN decode will not list every PR code.
- Paint and interior color codes. The color code is on the data sticker, not in the VIN.
- Exact trim and option combinations. These require the data sticker, the original window sticker, or an Audi dealer lookup.
- Recall completion. Open recalls can be listed by VIN, but whether a specific campaign was already performed on your car must be checked per VIN with a dealer or the manufacturer.
For equipment and original pricing details, see our guide to the window sticker by VIN. To review open safety campaigns, use the recall check. For a general explanation of VIN structure across brands, see the main VIN decoder.
Checking an Audi VIN before you buy
Enter the VIN in the tool above to retrieve vPIC specifications and open NHTSA recalls. Then compare the decoded model year and model line against the data sticker and the title or registration. If the decoded model year differs from what the seller states, treat that as a question to resolve before purchase. VIN data describes the vehicle as manufactured; it does not report accident history, service records, or ownership, and this site does not provide owner or personal information lookups.
Questions people ask
What does WAU mean in an Audi VIN?
WAU typically identifies Audi passenger cars built by Audi AG. WMI assignments can vary by model year and plant, so confirm against the NHTSA Audi VIN breakdown sheet for your model year.
Can a VIN tell me my Audi's option packages?
Usually not. Factory options are recorded as PR codes on the Audi data sticker, typically in the spare-wheel well or service book. A VIN decode generally will not list every PR code.
Where is the model year in an Audi VIN?
Position 10. The code is a letter or digit, for example A for 2010 through T for 2026 and V for 2027. Late-year builds can carry the next model year's code.
Does a VIN decode show whether recalls were completed?
It can list open NHTSA recalls for the VIN, but completion of a specific campaign must be confirmed per VIN with a dealer or the manufacturer.