Decode Audi VIN Number - Lookup and History Check

Audi VIN Decoder

Audi is an automotive brand that has spent only a short time on American streets. However, the company has over 100 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, starting in 1899 Cologne, Germany. It wasn’t until 1969 that the Company sold its first model in the United States, the Audi 100.

Early Audi 100 VIN codes consisted of ten digits, all numbers. An example of the Audi VIN described the model generation as 1973 C1, left-hand drive. Several classic car websites find the early VINs indispensable when collectors and Audi enthusiasts try to place a value.

The GoodCar VIN Decoder tool is the most reliable way to obtain important information about your Audi. The VIN report includes the car's manufacturer, model year, and exact location where the vehicle was made. The GoodCar service provides a complete rundown of the car’s safety systems, including the type of airbags and seatbelts.

Audi follows the 1981 NHTSA mandate for a 17-digit alphanumeric code of letters and numbers. Before VIN codes were standardized, automakers used a sequence of letters and numbers recognizable to only a few industry personnel. IN 1981, the NHTSA and the ISO (International Standards Organization) developed the VIN codes we use today. The ISO maintains the VIN codes outside the United States, while the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) implements the code in America.

Deciphering a Audi VIN

Manufacture Identifier

Country

Manufacture

Type

Vehicle descriptor section

Body Style

Model Types

Restraint Systems

checksum digit

model year

manufacturing plant

Vehicle identifier section

serial number

VIN Digit

Meaning

1^st

Position, one of the Audi VIN, indicates the country of origin or region of the world where the model is manufactured.

2^nd

The second position is the exact country where the specific model was manufactured. The company builds automobiles in Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Mexico, Slovakia, Spain, Russia, Brazil, India, and China. Audi is an odd-ball automaker in that it has no manufacturing facilities in the United States.

3^rd

Audi uses the third position to identify the vehicle type.

4^th - 8^th

Positions four through eight yield the most information on a specific model relative to the other twelve characters. Audi uses two of these five digits to clarify the series or group. Position four in an Audi VIN describes the vehicle’s model or series, such as the Audi Q or C models.

5^th

Position five describes Audi's body style, such as two—or four-door sedans or hatchbacks.

6^th & 7^th

Positions six and seven give current model types.

8^th

Audi restraint systems are described in position eight; this may include dual front airbags, side curtains, or seatbelt pre-tensioners.

9^th

Every 17-digit code reserves the ninth position for the checksum digit. A pre-determined algorithm, along with the checksum, is used to calculate the validity of the VIN.

10^th

Audi reserves position ten for the model year. The NHTSA cycles through letters and numbers to display a unique model year. This character may be different than the actual build date.

11^th

Position eleven is the exact manufacturing plant where a specific Audi rolled-off the assembly line. Audi manufactures its cars cars in several countries but not in the United States.

12^th - 17^th

Posiiotns twelve through seventeen are the serial or sequence numbers. Manufacturers have been encoding specific information in these positions, such as unique trim levels or sensor-based add-ons such as lane assist.

Where Can I Find the VIN on My Audi?

The NHTSA mandates two locations where automakers must place the model’s VIN. The first is on the driver’s side dashboard at the windshield, where the VIN must be visible through the glass. The second location is on the driver's side B pillar, about halfway down the post. The VIN will be stamped on a plaque along with other information, such as tire sizes and needed air pressure.

Popular Audi Models

Even though Audi has been in America for a relatively short period, the company has a longstanding and rich motoring history on the world stage.

The Audi R8 supercar is a distinctive V10 two-seater with stunning exterior and interior styling. A power convertible roof, upgraded navigation, wireless connectivity, and Bang & Olufsen entertainment.

Audi SQ8 e-Tron fits nicely in the compact, all-electric SUV segment. The SQ8n is a 5-seater with only two trim levels. Audi’s price on this e-Tron is on the high side, but it is well worth the money. An all-electric motor produces a thrilling 500 hp.

Audi’s S8 sedan offers its drivers a thrilling ride in an ultra-luxurious cabin. The Audi S8 delivers a lot of horsepower in its twin-turbo configuration with 563 hp. All the entertainment and technology a performance driver could want, the S8 delivers.

Using the GoodCar History Search service to pull all the latest information on an Audi VIN is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the information available for a specific automobile.

Prospective Audi buyers need to know the condition of the Title, whether it is savage, rebuilt, or junk. GoodCar searches a massive number of local and state databases to uncover any fraud that may exist with the title. A salvage title says the insurance company has deemed the vehicle a total loss with no value. A clean title ensures a clear transfer of ownership.

Fleet managers and business owners use the GoodCar reports to determine whether the mileage is correct or if there is odometer fraud. They can also search a complete timeline of sales contracts and service visits to see if there are any discrepancies. Search the report for any theft or vandalism on the vehicle; has the car been reported as stolen?

Audi VIN Lookup

Performance buyers are keenly interested in how the vehicle is maintained. The GoodCar reports provide a history of oil changes, service visits, and tire rotations. See if the vehicle has any record of crashes and the damage involved. Know instantly if the body or the engine was affected in any of the crashes.

Federal Lemon Law is included in all quality history searches and is a valuable tool for prospective buyers. If a new car or truck cannot be repaired after repeated attempts by the dealership, the buyer can enforce the Lemon Law and demand a refund or replacement.

GoodCar provides the latest NHTSA crash test ratings and any recall notices affecting the VIN. Instantly, you can see if the vehicle you want to buy is under any recall notice, understand the issue, and learn what to do about the problem.

Audi Recalls

On December 8, 2022, Audi recalled 288,981 from 2021 to 2022 SQ5 Sportback. The issue is related to any liquid, such as rainwater, that may enter the gateway control module underneath the vehicle, shutting off the device. If someone spills a drink in the back seat section, this may also affect the module. After shutting down the module, the engine and braking system go into safe mode, and power is diminished.
On November 3, 2020, the company recalled 95,000 Audi Q7 SUVs. A pillar behind the rear door opening may not have enough padding to protect the passenger’s head in certain types of crashes. The NHTSA has determined that any unbelted occupant may be at an increased rate of injury if the head hits the pillar. Bring the Q7 into the dealership for a free inspection and repair.
The largest recall in Audi’s history involved 1.27 million A4, A5, A5 Cabriolet, and Q5 models worldwide. The recall is a fire risk due to a thermal overload at the auxiliary heater core's plug and electrical connections. Friction between components created by stress and movement may create a fire hazard.