Audi VIN Decoder: 5 Common WMI Codes
Decode any Audi VIN free: the first three characters (WAU, WA1, TRU, WUA, WU1) identify the assigned manufacturer and vehicle type, position 10 encodes the model year and position 11 commonly identifies the assembly plant. Then check that vehicle's recalls and history separately.
Run the exact 17-character VIN, compare the physical vehicle, and keep each history category separate.
An Audi VIN check can identify an Audi sedan, coupe, convertible, wagon, crossover, SUV, performance vehicle, or EV and may return body, engine, fuel, drive, and safety data. It does not authenticate every S/RS appearance claim, option package, software state, battery condition, modification, or import history.
Buying a used Audi? Enter its VIN.
Confirm the Audi identity free. For a purchase decision, the optional history report can show returned title, mileage and auction records; coverage varies by VIN.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
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See what the paid report includes →Audi WMI codes (VIN positions 1–3)
The first three VIN characters identify the assigned manufacturer and vehicle type. These common World Manufacturer Identifier patterns were checked against NHTSA vPIC data, but a prefix alone does not prove final assembly country; confirm the complete VIN’s returned plant fields and vehicle-specific records.
| WMI | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| WAU | Audi passenger cars built in Germany (Audi AG) |
| WA1 | Audi SUVs (Q models), registered to Audi AG |
| TRU | Audi passenger cars built in Hungary |
| WUA | High-performance cars from Audi Sport GmbH, Germany |
| WU1 | High-performance SUVs from Audi Sport GmbH |
Where to find the VIN on a Audi
Audis carry the VIN on the plate at the driver's side base of the windshield and on the certification label on the driver's door jamb. The number is also stamped into the body under the hood. Because Audi shares platforms across the Volkswagen Group, the WMI in positions 1-3 is what confirms the car was sold as an Audi.
Check Audi warranty coverage by VIN
Audi's New Vehicle Limited Warranty runs 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, per audiusa.com's warranty pages. The in-service date that starts the clock comes from Audi's records rather than the VIN itself, so ask any authorized Audi dealer to pull remaining coverage — and open campaigns — using the 17-digit VIN.
On November 2, 2015, EPA issued a Clean Air Act notice of violation covering 3.0L V6 diesels that included the 2014-2016 Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5 and 2009-2016 Q7, which emitted up to nine times the NOx standard. Check any used Audi TDI's emissions-campaign status by VIN.
What to verify on a Audi
- Verify engine, body, fuel, and drive rather than inferring configuration from model badges.
- Treat S line, S, and RS claims as distinct documentation and inspection questions.
- For e-tron vehicles, VIN identity does not replace a battery and charging assessment.
- Use Audi and NHTSA resources for current VIN-specific recall status.
Audi VIN and buyer checklist
- Match VINs on vehicle, title, and service records.
- Confirm factory model, engine, propulsion, drive, and equipment.
- Request maintenance, software, battery, modification, and import documentation.
- Check title, mileage, collisions, recalls, and inspect independently.
What a Audi VIN check cannot prove
- A VIN alone does not prove accident, title-brand, theft, lien, ownership, service, or complete mileage history.
- Decoded equipment can be incomplete or broad; confirm trim, options, and installed hardware on the vehicle and its documents.
- A “no open recalls” result is time-specific and is not a mechanical inspection or a promise that every past recall was completed correctly.
Sources reviewed
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- NHTSA VIN DecoderU.S. government VIN identity and manufacturer-submitted vehicle data.
- NHTSA vPICNHTSA vehicle-product information and decoding resources.
- NHTSA RecallsVIN-specific open safety recall lookup and recall campaign details.
- Audi official websiteAudi manufacturer resource
- 49 CFR Part 565 - Vehicle Identification Number requirementseCFR, U.S. Government Publishing Office
Audi VIN check questions
What can a Audi VIN tell me?
A valid 17-character Audi VIN can identify the vehicle and may return manufacturer-submitted attributes such as model year, model, body class, engine, drive type, or restraint details. Returned fields vary, so compare them with the vehicle and title instead of treating every blank as a defect.
Can a VIN check confirm the exact Audi trim and options?
Not always. NHTSA decoding can return useful factory identity data, but exact packages, optional equipment, and later modifications may require the original window sticker, build record, dealer documentation, or a physical inspection.
Does a Audi VIN check include recall information?
VIN identity and recall status are separate checks. Use NHTSA’s recall lookup and Audi’s official owner or recall resources, because recall status can change and some newly announced campaigns may not appear immediately.
What should I verify for this Audi?
Match VINs on vehicle, title, and service records. Confirm factory model, engine, propulsion, drive, and equipment. Request maintenance, software, battery, modification, and import documentation. Check title, mileage, collisions, recalls, and inspect independently.
What does an Audi VIN starting with WAU mean?
WAU is an Audi AG passenger-car identifier seen on German-built examples. WA1 appears on Q-model SUVs, TRU on Hungary-built car examples, and WUA on Audi Sport performance models. Confirm a specific Audi's assembly plant from its complete VIN. This is a common registered or decoded pattern, not standalone proof of final assembly; confirm the specific vehicle’s complete NHTSA plant fields and manufacturer records.
How do I check my Audi's warranty by VIN?
Audi's New Vehicle Limited Warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles from first sale. Any Audi dealer can check remaining coverage using the VIN; audiusa.com lists the current terms, but the in-service date that starts coverage comes from Audi's dealer records.