Audi VIN Decoder – Free VIN Lookup, Specs & Recalls

Q: What do WAU and WA1 mean at the start of an Audi VIN?

WAU is used for Audi passenger cars and WA1 for Audi SUVs. Both are built by Audi AG.

Q: Which character shows the Audi model year?

The 10th character. L stands for 2020, P for 2023 and S for 2025.

What our free Audi VIN decoder shows

One VIN, the key facts about any Audi. When you enter a Audi VIN, the decoder reads the codes built into those 17 characters and matches them to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In a few seconds you see:

Model and trim: which Audi model it is, and the trim when it is encoded.
Model year: taken from the 10th character of the VIN.
Engine and powertrain: engine size, fuel type and transmission when available.
Body style: sedan, coupe, SUV, minivan, van or pickup.
Drivetrain: whether the car has quattro all-wheel drive.
Assembly plant: the factory that built the vehicle.
Open safety recalls: any recall on record with NHTSA for that exact VIN.

This helps when you are checking a used Audi for sale, ordering the right parts, comparing a listing to the real vehicle or getting an insurance quote.

How to look up a Audi VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on the vehicle or its paperwork (see where to find it below).
Type it into the box at the top of this page. Letters are not case-sensitive.
Select Decode VIN.
Compare the results with the seller’s listing: model, year, engine and drivetrain should all match.

A valid VIN never contains the letters I, O or Q, because they look too much like 1 and 0. If the decoder rejects a VIN, check for those letters first.

How to read a Audi VIN

Every Audi built since 1981 has a 17-character VIN that follows the same international standard. Here is an example:

WAU ENAF4 5 L A 123456

Characters	In this VIN	What it tells you
1–3 · WMI	`WAU`	The manufacturer and country. `WAU` is an Audi passenger car built by Audi AG in Germany.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptor	`ENAF4`	Model line (here, A4), body, engine and restraint systems.
9 · Check digit	`5`	A calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model year	`L`	The model year: `L` is 2020.
11 · Plant code	`A`	The assembly plant.
12–17 · Serial number	`123456`	The unique production number of that vehicle.

Audi WMI codes

Audi uses only a few WMI codes, even for models built outside Germany. These are the codes you will see most often:

WMI	Built in	Typical vehicles
`WAU`	Germany	Passenger cars such as A3, A4 and A6
`WA1`	Germany / Mexico	SUVs such as Q5 and Q7
`WUA`	Germany	Audi Sport models such as R8 and some RS models
`TRU`	Hungary	TT and some A3 models

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Audi model year codes

The 10th character shows the model year. The letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used for the year.

Code	Year	Code	Year	Code	Year
`G`	2016	`K`	2019	`P`	2023
`H`	2017	`L`	2020	`R`	2024
`J`	2018	`M`	2021	`S`	2025
		`N`	2022	`T`	2026

Where to find the VIN on a Audi

Where to find the VIN on a vehicle: on the dashboard by the windshield and on the label inside the driver’s door jamb — The VIN is usually on the dashboard (seen through the windshield) and on the label inside the driver’s door.

Dashboard: on the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side. Look through the windshield from outside the vehicle.
Driver’s door jamb: on the label on the door pillar, visible when the door is open.
Documents: the title, registration and insurance card all list the VIN.

Make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the title. If they are different, do not buy until you know why: it can be a sign of a stolen or rebuilt vehicle.

Popular Audi models

Pick a model to decode its VIN and see recalls by model year:

Audi A4: the compact luxury sedan, also sold as the Allroad wagon.
Audi Q5: the compact luxury SUV and Audi’s best seller in the US.
Audi A6: the midsize luxury sedan.
Audi Q7: the three-row luxury SUV.
Audi Q3: the subcompact luxury SUV.
Audi A3: the entry-level luxury sedan.

Audi recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 147 recall campaigns for the Audi models on this page. Recalls are issued for specific VINs, so two vehicles of the same model and year can have different results. The repair for a safety recall is free at any Audi dealer, even if you are not the first owner.

To check a Audi for recalls, enter its VIN above. If a recall is open, contact a Audi dealer to book the repair, and ask the seller of a used vehicle for proof that past recalls were completed.

Free VIN decoder vs full vehicle history report

The decoder tells you what the vehicle is. A history report tells you what happened to it.

Information	Free decoder	Full history report
Model, year, engine, plant	Yes	Yes
Open safety recalls	Yes	Yes
Title brands (salvage, flood, rebuilt)	No	Yes
Odometer readings	No	Yes
Accident and damage records	No	Yes
Sales and ownership history	No	Yes

If you are about to buy a used Audi, run a full vehicle history check or see a sample report first.

Buying a used Audi: what to check

The VIN on the dashboard, door jamb and title all match.
No open safety recalls, or proof that they were repaired.
No salvage, flood or rebuilt title brand.
Odometer readings that go up steadily over the years.
On older 2.0T engines, ask whether the timing chain and water pump were serviced.
Ask for service records for the S tronic or automatic transmission.
Check what is left of the factory or certified pre-owned warranty.
A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Audi VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Audi VIN?

Type the 17-character VIN into the box at the top of this page and select Decode VIN. We read the manufacturer, model, engine and year codes and match them to NHTSA data.

Is the Audi VIN decoder free?

Yes. Decoding the specs and checking for open recalls is free and does not require an account. A full vehicle history report is a separate paid option.

What do WAU and WA1 mean at the start of an Audi VIN?

WAU is used for Audi passenger cars and WA1 for Audi SUVs. Both are built by Audi AG.

Which character shows the Audi model year?

The 10th character. L stands for 2020, P for 2023 and S for 2025.

Does a Audi VIN show recalls?

Yes. Safety recalls are issued by VIN, so checking the exact VIN tells you whether a recall applies to that vehicle and whether it is still open.

Can an Audi VIN show if it has quattro?

Usually, yes. The drivetrain is encoded in the vehicle descriptor section, so the decoder can tell a front-wheel-drive Audi from a quattro model.

VIN decoder for other makes

Choose another brand to decode its VIN and see recalls by model.

Source: NHTSA public data, updated October 8, 2026. HistoryByVIN is not affiliated with Audi. Audi and the Audi logo are trademarks of their owner.

Free Audi VIN Decoder