What does the WMI code WAU mean on an Audi?

WAU is the WMI code of Audi AG for standard models built in German plants (Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm). It is the most common Audi prefix for regular passenger cars in the A range. Not to be confused with: WUA (quattro/RS high-performance models), WA1 (SUV/Q models) and TRU (Audi vehicles built in Hungary).

How can I tell from the VIN whether it's a genuine Audi RS model?

Genuine Audi RS models and quattro high-performance vehicles (RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, RS7, R8) often have the WMI code WUA at the start of the VIN. A supposed RS model with a WAU prefix is not a genuine RS vehicle but a regular Audi — possibly dressed up to look like an RS. This check matters especially because RS models are considerably more expensive.

Can I read my Audi's year of manufacture from the VIN?

On vehicles coded to the international standard, the 10th character of the VIN indicates the model year. For Audi and other EU manufacturers, however, this indication should be treated with caution, as European makers sometimes code the model year differently. The checkdenwagen.de VIN decoder provides a pointer, not a guaranteed year.

What should I do if the VIN on my Audi is illegible?

If the engine bay is dirty, a damp cloth can expose the stamping. If the windscreen VIN is hard to read, a torch held against the glass from inside helps. If characters are permanently illegible or show signs of grinding, you should absolutely bring in an independent inspector before buying — a damaged VIN stamping is a serious warning sign.

Does my Audi show the VIN on the on-board computer?

On newer Audi models (from around 2012 with MMI), the VIN can often be retrieved via the MMI menu under vehicle data. This display is software-based and is no substitute for physically checking the stamped VINs. For a comparison when buying a used car, always check the stampings on the vehicle itself.

What does TRU mean on an Audi?

TRU is the WMI code for Audi vehicles built at the Győr plant in Hungary. This applies to some models such as the Audi TT or certain A3 variants. An Audi with a TRU prefix is a regular Audi product — for buyers who value a vehicle built in Germany, the place of manufacture is a relevant detail.

What is the difference between FIN and VIN on an Audi?

There is no difference: FIN (Fahrzeugidentifikationsnummer) is the German term, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) the international one. Both refer to exactly the same 17-character number under ISO 3779. German vehicle documents say FIN; on imported vehicles or international documents you'll see VIN.

Independent · On-site · Own report · Fixed price

Where do I find the VIN on an Audi?

The vehicle identification number (VIN, in Germany also called FIN) appears on every Audi in several defined places. Anyone who knows where it is and checks it can establish in just a few minutes, before buying a used car, whether all VIN entries match — one of the most reliable safety checks before a purchase.

Decode VIN

4,9

Google · 39+ reviews

100+

Checked points

Where is the VIN located on an Audi?

On an Audi, the VIN appears in several physical locations as well as in the vehicle documents. The quickest spot, visible from outside, is the lower-left corner of the windscreen on the driver's side. There the VIN is shown on a metal plate or as a laser engraving — without tools and without having to open a door. In the engine bay, the VIN on an Audi is usually found on the left chassis rail, easily accessible after opening the bonnet. The driver's-side door pillar carries a sticker with the VIN and other vehicle data. In registration certificate Part I (field E) and Part II (the vehicle title), the VIN is recorded officially. All four sources must match character for character — any discrepancy is a warning sign.

Digital VIN check — €25

Every VIN location on the Audi in detail

On the Audi too, the windscreen is the first place to check: the VIN sits in the lower-left corner (driver's side), readable from outside without any aids. Many current Audi models come with standard or optional tinting that can make it harder to read in poor lighting. A torch held against the glass from inside makes the stamping clearly visible in such cases. The engraving or plate should look even and free of damage. In the engine bay, the stamped VIN on an Audi typically sits on the left chassis rail in the direction of travel. The stamping is pressed directly into the bodywork sheet metal and should be evenly deep and free of machining marks. Audi models in the A4, A5, A6, Q5 and Q7 ranges are easily accessible here; on compact models such as the A1 and A3, the stamping can sit deeper under trim panels. Dirt can be removed with a damp cloth. Grinding marks, uneven character depth or reworked metal around the stamping are serious warning signs. On the driver's-side door pillar there is a sticker or data plate with the VIN, paint code and tyre-pressure details. As with all brands, the rule is: stickers are easier to forge than stamped markings and serve as a supplement, not as the sole reference. On RS models and S models, the door-pillar entry is often a metal plate with a type designation. In the vehicle documents — registration certificate Part I (field E) and Part II — the VIN is officially recorded. When buying a used car, the rule is: always ask to see the vehicle title first, copy down the VIN, then compare it against every stamping on the vehicle character by character.

Digital VIN check — €25

VIN locations on the Audi — overview

Location	Visibility	Note
Windscreen, lower left (driver's side)	Very good — readable from outside without tools	If tinted, use a torch from inside; the engraving must be even and undamaged
Engine bay — left chassis rail (direction of travel)	Good — open the bonnet, use a torch and a cloth to clean if needed	Stamped directly into the metal; grinding marks or rework are a warning sign
Driver's-side door pillar (sticker or data plate)	Good — just open the driver's door	Sticker as a supplement; on RS/S models often a metal plate with a type designation
Registration certificate Part I (field E)	Immediate — just view the document	Official reference; must match every stamping character for character
Registration certificate Part II (vehicle title)	Immediate — just view the document	The owner's main document; always ask to see it before buying

What the first 3 characters (WMI code) reveal about your Audi

WMI code	Meaning
WAU	Audi AG — standard models, built in Germany (Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm)
WUA	Audi AG — quattro and RS high-performance models (RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, RS7, R8 etc.), built in Germany
WA1	Audi AG — SUV/Q models (Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8, e-tron in part), built in Germany
TRU	Audi AG — models built in Hungary (e.g. some Audi TT, some Audi A3, Győr plant)

What's special about the VIN on Audi — what you should know when buying

Audi uses different WMI codes depending on the production plant and model family. This means two visually similar Audi models can have different prefixes — which is not a warning sign in itself, but can help with identification. An RS6 built in Neckarsulm typically carries WUA as its prefix, whereas a regular A6 from the same plant starts with WAU. Audi Q models (the SUV range) often start with WA1 — so anyone buying an SUV and seeing a WAU prefix should check whether that adds up. Not all Q models necessarily carry WA1 (production lines can vary), but it's worth clarifying the discrepancy specifically. For models built in Hungary (Győr), such as parts of the TT range or A3 variants, you'll find the WMI code TRU. On a Hungarian-built Audi this is perfectly normal and not a mark of quality, but it is relevant for the buyer who values a vehicle built in Germany. When reading the VIN on an Audi, it's advisable to compare at least two physical locations as well as the vehicle documents. Every discrepancy — even in a single character — must be clearly resolved before the purchase.

Digital VIN check — €25