What exactly is the WAU prefix?

WAU is the WMI for standard Audi AG passenger cars assembled in Germany. It covers most of the core range from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

How do you recognise an RS or R8 from the VIN?

Those Audi Sport models use the WUA prefix instead of WAU. The R8 is built at the hand-assembly Böllinger Höfe facility, part of the Neckarsulm site.

My Q7 starts with WA1 — is that correct?

Yes. WA1 points to Volkswagen Slovakia in Bratislava, where the Q7 and Q8 share the MLB Evo assembly line.

Where can I get the full PR code list?

Enter your VIN on audi-codes.com or via Audi erWin. The complete list appears with the meaning of each code.

Are older models supported?

Yes, as long as the VIN has 17 characters (ISO 3779, in use since 1981). That includes Audi 80, 100, A2 and first-generation TT.

How do I check Audi recalls in France?

Go to audi.fr/rappels, enter the full VIN and the system shows active campaigns.

VIN vs chassis number — what is the difference?

There is none. "Chassis number" is the historical European term; today the standard label is VIN under ISO 3779.

Is the e-tron GT covered by the decoder?

Yes. e-tron, Q4 e-tron and e-tron GT have VDS codes specific to electric powertrains on MEB or J1 platforms.

Audi VIN Decoder

Enter your Audi's VIN to find its exact model, powertrain, standard equipment and options.

Audi VIN Decoder

Enter your Audi's VIN to find its exact model, powertrain, standard equipment and options.

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Audi VIN Decoder

Your Audi Through the Scanner: The VIN Decoder

An Audi VIN compresses your vehicle's technical DNA into 17 characters: model family, powertrain variant, plant of origin and production year. Our tool turns that code into a readable summary in seconds.

Audi WMI: The First Three Characters Explained

As a Volkswagen Group brand, Audi uses its own WMIs by division (main line, Sport, SUVs) and country of assembly:

WMI PREFIX	DIVISION	COUNTRY
WAU	Audi AG — standard passenger range	Germany
WUA	Audi Sport GmbH (RS, R8)	Germany
TRU	Audi Hungaria Motor Kft.	Hungary (Győr)
WA1	Audi — full-size SUVs (Q7, Q8)	Slovakia (Bratislava)
LFV	FAW-Volkswagen (Audi China)	China (Changchun)
93V	Audi do Brasil	Brazil

Positions 4–8: Decoding Model, Powertrain and Transmission

The VDS section on an Audi spells out the range (A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8, e-tron), body style (sedan, Avant, Sportback, Allroad) and engine family. The EA888 (turbocharged four-cylinder), EA839 (turbocharged V6) and EA825 (V8) families are the most common. quattro permanent all-wheel drive is reflected through a specific VDS code.

Common Audi engine families:

EA888 (turbocharged four-cylinder)

EA839 (turbocharged V6)

EA825 (V8)

Audi Plant Map

The 11th character identifies the production site. Audi concentrates most assembly at two German plants and several international locations.

Ingolstadt (Germany)

A3, A4, A5, Q2

Neckarsulm (Germany)

A6, A7, A8, e-tron GT, R8

Győr (Hungary)

A3, TT, Q3, engine blocks

Bratislava (Slovakia)

Q7, Q8, e-tron

Brussels (Belgium)

Q8 e-tron

Changchun (China)

A4L, A6L, Q5L (long wheelbase)

Step-by-Step Audi VIN Decode

WAU ZZZF1 8 M N 012345

WAU

Audi AG, Germany

ZZZF1

A4 (B9), 2.0 TFSI, sedan

Check digit

Model year code (ISO 3779, position 10)

Neckarsulm plant (position 11)

012345

Production sequence number

Audi VIN by Model Family

Each line has its own factories, WMIs and generations.

Summary by family

FAMILY	KEY MODELS / NOTES	MAIN SITES / WMI
Compact: A1, A3, Q2	A3 (8Y) built in Ingolstadt and Győr; A1 (GB) from SEAT Martorell (Spain), MQB A0 with Ibiza	WAU (Germany), TRU (Hungary)
Sedans and Avant: A4–A8	A4/A5 (B9/F5) Ingolstadt; A6/A7 (C8/4K), flagship A8 (D5) Neckarsulm; long-wheelbase China variants A4L, A6L use LFV	Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm, Changchun
SUVs: Q3–Q8	Q3 from Győr (TRU); Q5 from San José Chiapa (Mexico) or Changchun; Q7 and Q8 from Bratislava (WA1), MLB Evo with Cayenne and Bentayga	Győr, Bratislava, Mexico, Changchun
Audi Sport: RS, R8	WUA WMI; R8 (4S) hand-built at Böllinger Höfe (Neckarsulm annex); EA855 (2.5 TFSI five-cylinder) and EA824 (V10) have dedicated VDS codes	Neckarsulm, Böllinger Höfe
Electric: e-tron range	Q8 e-tron Brussels; Q4 e-tron Zwickau (Volkswagen plant); e-tron GT shares Porsche Taycan J1 platform from Neckarsulm (code N); 50, 55, S and RS differ in VDS	Brussels, Zwickau, Neckarsulm

Compact: A1, A3, Q2

The A3 (8Y) is built in Ingolstadt and Győr. The A1 (GB) comes from the SEAT plant in Martorell, Spain, because it shares the MQB A0 platform with the Ibiza. VINs start with WAU for German production and TRU for Hungary.

Sedans and Avant: A4, A5, A6, A7, A8

The A4 and A5 (B9/F5) come from Ingolstadt (WAU). The A6, A7 (C8/4K) and flagship A8 (D5) are built in Neckarsulm. Long-wheelbase Chinese variants (A4L, A6L) use the LFV prefix.

SUVs: Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8

The Q3 is from Győr (TRU), the Q5 from San José Chiapa in Mexico or Changchun. The Q7 and Q8 are built in Bratislava (WA1), sharing the MLB Evo line with the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga.

Audi Sport: RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, RS7, R8

Audi Sport models use the WUA WMI instead of WAU. The R8 (4S) is hand-assembled at Böllinger Höfe, an annex of Neckarsulm. High-performance engines — EA855 (2.5 TFSI five-cylinder) and EA824 (V10) — have dedicated VDS codes.

Electric: e-tron, Q4 e-tron, e-tron GT

The Q8 e-tron is assembled in Brussels, the Q4 e-tron in Zwickau at the Volkswagen plant. The e-tron GT shares the Taycan J1 platform and leaves Neckarsulm (code N). The 50, 55, S and RS variants are distinguished in the VDS positions.

Audi PR Codes: Factory Options

Beyond the VIN, Audi uses PR (Produktionsrelevant) codes for factory equipment:

PR code (Produktionsrelevant)

Three-character identifier for each item of equipment. Examples: PR 7X2 = S line exterior package, PR 9ZX = no special option, PR QE1 = advanced parking assist.

Ausstattungsliste

Full list of PR codes fitted to your Audi. Available from the VIN on audi-codes.com or Audi's erWin technical portal.

Certificate of conformity (COC)

Official Audi document with technical specifications and approvals; required to register an intra-European import.

Audi Recalls: How to Check

The audi.fr/rappels site accepts the VIN and returns open or closed campaigns. For a vehicle imported from the United States, nhtsa.gov/recalls adds US information. In Europe, RAPEX and the DGCCRF also publish alerts.

Free Tool vs Full History Report

Information	Free	Paid
Model, powertrain, body style	✅	✅
Equipment (PR codes)	✅ (preview)	✅ (full)
Safety recalls	✅	✅ (detailed)
Reported damage / claims	❌	✅
Mileage records	❌	✅
Number of previous owners	❌	✅
Title status	❌	✅
Price	€0	From €1

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Audi VIN decoder

VIN Number

VIN