Audi A4 VIN Decoder, VIN Number Location and PR Codes
Decode any A4 VIN below, find the VIN on any B7, B8 or B9 A4, then decode the PR codes from the data sticker to get the full factory options list.
Try It Yourself. Copy/Paste This Audi A4 VIN Into Our Decoder Below: WAUFBAF40PN045678
VIN Decoder & Build Sheet
Check VIN identity, factory spec, recalls, complaints, and ownership risks before you buy.
Pre Purchase VIN Check
Fuel Economy, Emissions & Running Cost
EPA fuel economy for the vehicle year and model profile.
Additional Vehicle Specs
Supplementary spec matching for output such as power, transmission, size, and weight.
Recalls, Complaints & Mechanical Failures
Model level safety and complaint data for the decoded year, make, and model.
Vehicle Ownership Insights
Platform specific reliability patterns, critical engine platform audits, and pre purchase inspection guidance.
Likely Factory Option Profile
Probability model for common package combinations around this production era.
The free scan verifies identity and surfaces early risk signals. The paid report goes deeper into what those signals mean for ownership, repairs, and buying confidence.
Unlock Full VIN ReportWhere Is the VIN Number on an Audi A4?
Every Audi A4 carries the same 17 character VIN, also called the chassis number, in several places on the car and on its paperwork. Check that at least two of them match before you rely on it.
On the car
- Bottom of the windshield on the driver side, readable from outside
- Label on the driver door jamb or B pillar
- Vehicle data sticker in the spare wheel well, under the trunk floor
- Stamped into the body in the engine bay, which is where the chassis number lives
On the paperwork
- Title and registration in the US, or the V5C logbook in the UK
- Vehicle data sticker inside the front of the service book
- Insurance documents
- Service invoices and the original sales paperwork
If the VIN on the windshield doesn't match the door label, the paperwork or the body stamping, stop there and find out why before you go any further.
How to Read an Audi A4 VIN
European A4 VINs usually start WAUZZZ, where the three Z characters are filler. US VINs use those positions for engine, body and restraint details instead. On both, positions 7 and 8 tell you the generation and position 10 tells you the model year.
Example European format: WAUZZZ8K0DA012345, a 2013 B8 A4
- Positions 1 to 3: Manufacturer
- WAU identifies Audi as the maker.
- Positions 4 to 8: Model
- Positions 7 and 8 are the model code, like 8K on the example above. On European cars, 4 to 6 are usually ZZZ filler.
- Position 9: Check digit
- Validates the VIN on US cars. On many European cars it doesn't follow the US formula, which is why US decoders often reject them.
- Position 10: Model year
- A single character for the model year. See the list below.
- Position 11: Plant
- The factory that built the car. A is Ingolstadt and N is Neckarsulm, the two plants that built most A4s.
- Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
- The production number that makes this VIN unique.
Audi A4 generation codes in the VIN
| Positions 7 and 8 | Generation | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 8D | A4 B5 | 1994 to 2001 |
| 8E | A4 B6 and B7 | 2000 to 2008 |
| 8K | A4 B8 and B8.5 facelift, including allroad | 2007 to 2016 |
| F4 | A4 B9 and B9.5 facelift, including allroad | 2015 to 2025 |
A B6 and a B7 share the 8E code, so use the model year to tell them apart. The B7 arrived for the 2005 model year.
Audi A4 model year codes
Position 10 of the VIN.
- 12001
- 22002
- 32003
- 42004
- 52005
- 62006
- 72007
- 82008
- 92009
- A2010
- B2011
- C2012
- D2013
- E2014
- F2015
- G2016
- H2017
- J2018
- K2019
- L2020
- M2021
- N2022
- P2023
- R2024
- S2025
Generation changeover years overlap, so always check positions 7 and 8 as well.
Can You Get Audi A4 PR Codes From a VIN?
Not from the VIN itself. The 17 characters tell you the model, generation and year, but not the options.
The full option list is stored against the VIN in Audi's factory system, so any Audi dealer can pull it with your VIN. If you'd rather do it yourself, the same PR codes are printed on the car.
Spare wheel well Easiest
Lift the trunk floor. The vehicle data sticker lists the VIN, paint code, engine code, gearbox code and every PR code on the car.
Service book
An identical sticker sits inside the front cover. Handy if the one in the trunk is damaged or missing.
Audi dealer
Give the service desk your VIN and ask for the vehicle data printout. It shows the original build and every factory code.
VCDS or OBD11
A scan tool reads coding from the control modules. Good for confirming lighting, assistance or infotainment equipment, but it won't give you the full PR list on its own.
Grab the codes from either sticker and paste them into the decoder below to get your full Audi A4 options list.
Audi A4 PR Code Decoder
Paste the codes from your data sticker and get a readable A4 options list, grouped by system.
Separate codes with spaces, commas or new lines.
Codes not in our list
Look up a single code
Search by code or keyword. Covers PR codes, paint, engine codes and gearboxes.
Type a code or keyword to see matches.
Tip: click any code to copy it. Some codes change meaning by generation and market, so check anything important against the dealer printout.
Which Audi A4 Do I Have?
Positions 7 and 8 of the VIN give you the generation. From there, the engine code and data sticker tell you if you're looking at a standard A4, an allroad, an S4 or an RS4.
A4 B7 (2005 to 2008)
Shorter option lists and older engines like the 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 FSI. Engine code, gearbox and service history matter far more than trim on these.
A4 B8 (2008 to 2016)
The biggest used market. Gearbox type moves the value most: manual, Multitronic CVT, S tronic or Tiptronic. Lighting and MMI navigation come next.
A4 B9 (2016 to 2025)
Virtual cockpit, LED and Matrix LED lighting, assistance packs and Bang and Olufsen audio. Spec can matter almost as much as the engine. The facelift arrived for 2020.
| Model | What it is | How to confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | Petrol or diesel sedan or Avant, front wheel drive or quattro | Engine code on the sticker and the absence of S or RS codes |
| A4 S line | Styling and interior pack, same engines as the A4 | S line PR codes on the sticker, not the bumpers or badges |
| A4 allroad | Raised Avant with quattro, B8 and B9 only | Allroad model code on the dealer printout and the quattro code 1X1 |
| S4 | V6 performance model with quattro | S4 engine code, the quattro code 1X1 and the dealer printout |
| RS4 | Top performance model. B8 and B9 were Avant only and weren't sold in the US. | RS4 engine code and the dealer printout. Visual upgrades can't copy the engine. |
S line, Black Edition, Premium Plus or Prestige?
Trim names depend on the market. UK cars are sold as SE, Sport, S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung. US cars are Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. They don't translate cleanly, and bumpers, wheels, black trim and badges are easy to change after the fact. The VIN alone won't confirm trim. The PR codes on the data sticker, or the dealer printout, will. If a car is priced like a higher spec A4, the codes should prove it.
Audi A4 Engine, Gearbox and Drivetrain: What to Check
The same A4 badge covers a front wheel drive CVT commuter, a quattro diesel Avant and a V6 S4, and the mix changes by market. Confirm the mechanical setup before you judge the spec.
Engines
Petrol runs from 1.4 and 1.8 TFSI through the 2.0 TFSI that most A4s use, up to V6 engines in the S4. UK and European cars were often 2.0 or 3.0 TDI diesels. US B8 and B9 A4s were petrol only, almost all 2.0 TFSI. Later B9 cars added mild hybrid tech.
Gearboxes
Manuals are 6 speed. Front wheel drive B7 and B8 automatics use the Multitronic CVT. quattro B8 cars mostly use the 7 speed S tronic DL501, and B9 cars use the 7 speed S tronic DL382. V6 TDI and later S4 models use an 8 speed Tiptronic.
Front wheel drive or quattro
Lower output A4s are often front wheel drive. quattro is standard on the allroad, S4 and RS4 and common on higher output cars. Many B9 quattro models use quattro ultra, which runs in front wheel drive until it needs the rear axle. A quattro A4 should show 1X1 on its data sticker.
Why it matters
A front wheel drive Multitronic, a quattro S tronic and an S4 share a badge but not running costs, insurance or value. Engine code, gearbox and drivetrain first, then worry about wheels and trim.
| Setup | What it is | What it means for a buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | 6 speed | Simple and cheap to maintain. Rarer on later cars, especially in the US. |
| Multitronic (01J) | CVT automatic | Front wheel drive B7 and B8 only. Smooth, but research it hard and look for records of gearbox work. |
| S tronic DL501 (0B5) | 7 speed dual clutch | Common on B8 quattro and S4 models. Quick shifts, and it needs its fluid changed on schedule. |
| S tronic DL382 (0CK) | 7 speed dual clutch | The B9 gearbox. Generally more robust than the earlier units, but servicing still matters. |
| Tiptronic | 6 or 8 speed torque converter | Found on B7 quattro cars, V6 TDI models and the B9 S4. Smooth and traditional. |
| quattro | All wheel drive | Standard on allroad, S4 and RS4. More grip and appeal, with higher running costs to match. |
Audi A4 Common Problems by Engine and Gearbox
Known issues depend on the exact engine, gearbox and generation, which is why confirming them comes first.
| Engine or setup | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| B8 2.0 TFSI | Oil consumption, timing chain tensioner wear, patchy servicing | Good engines when looked after. The exact engine code tells you if the car has the earlier or updated parts. |
| B9 2.0 TFSI | Coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat housing | A common repair. Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue around the pump. |
| Multitronic CVT | Hesitation, judder, shudder when pulling away | Front wheel drive B7 and B8 cars. Confirm the gearbox and look for evidence of repairs. |
| S tronic DL501 | Mechatronic faults, clutch wear, harsh or slipping shifts | Common on B8 quattro and S4. Service history on the gearbox matters. |
| 2.0 and 3.0 TDI | DPF, EGR and other emissions system wear | Short journeys are hard on diesel emissions systems. Common on UK and European cars. |
| S4 and RS4 | Brakes, tires, cooling and quattro components working harder | Genuine performance cars with running costs to match. Many are modified, so check for remaps and non standard parts. |
How to Check Audi A4 Recalls
Recall campaigns differ by market, so check through the channel that covers where the car was sold.
In the US
Run the VIN through the decoder above for NHTSA recall records, or use the NHTSA recall lookup directly.
In the UK
Use the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK with the make, model and year, then ask an Audi dealer to run the VIN.
Imported cars
A car sold new in one country may never have had recall work done in the country it's in now. An Audi dealer can check the VIN against every open campaign.
Never assume recall work was done. Ask for proof it was completed, not just booked. Older A4s in particular should be checked for airbag campaigns.
Audi A4 Wheel and Tire Sizes
Wheels are easy to swap, so compare what's on the car with what it left the factory with. Wrong sizes or budget tires change how an A4 rides and handles.
| Wheel size | Common tire size | Typical on |
|---|---|---|
| 16 inch | 205/60 R16 | Entry level B8 cars |
| 17 inch | 225/50 R17 | Most B8 and B9 cars, Premium and SE |
| 18 inch | 245/40 R18 | S line, Black Edition, Premium Plus and S4 |
| 19 inch | 255/35 R19 | S line options, S4 and RS4 |
The tire placard on the door jamb shows the sizes approved for that exact car.
Audi A4 Option Codes List
The full list behind the decoder, grouped by system. Codes can vary by generation and market, so verify anything important against your own car.
Audi A4 engine codes
- BWE 2.0 TFSI, 200 hp (B7)
- BRD 2.0 TDI, 170 PS (B7)
- CDHB 1.8 TFSI, 160 PS (B8)
- CAEB 2.0 TFSI, 211 hp (B8)
- CNCD 2.0 TFSI, 220 hp (B8.5)
- CAGA 2.0 TDI, 143 PS (B8)
- CAHA 2.0 TDI, 170 PS (B8)
- CDUC 3.0 TDI V6, 245 PS (B8)
- CVKB 2.0 TFSI, 190 PS (B9)
- CYMC 2.0 TFSI, 252 hp (B9)
- CYRB 2.0 TFSI, 252 PS (B9)
Engine codes vary by generation, output and market. Confirm yours on the data sticker or the engine itself.
Audi A4 gearbox types
- 01J Multitronic CVT, front wheel drive B7 and B8
- 0B5 7 speed S tronic DL501, B8
- 0CK 7 speed S tronic DL382, B9
These are gearbox families, not PR codes. The gearbox code on the data sticker is a separate three letter code.
Audi A4 paint codes
- LA3H Salsa Red
- LA3S Amaryllis Red Metallic
- LA7W Reflex Silver Metallic
- LA9V Brilliant Black
- LB5N Kingfisher Blue Metallic
- LB7Z Satin Silver Metallic
- LC5M Moonlight Blue Pearl Effect
- LC7V Atlas Grey Metallic
- LD7Y Quartz Grey Metallic
- LH7W Akoya Silver Metallic
- LM7W Silver Metallic
- LN5Y Navarra Blue Metallic
- LP5X Sepang Blue Pearl Effect
- LR7L Ice Silver Metallic
- LS3T Crimson Red Pearl Effect
- LS9R Glacier White Metallic
- LX1X Manhattan Grey Metallic
- LX5Q Scuba Blue Metallic
- LX5R Moonlight Blue Metallic
- LX7R Monsoon Grey Metallic
- LX7W Ice Silver Metallic
- LX7Z Dolomite Grey Metallic
- LX9X Mythos Black Metallic
- LY1P Dakota Grey Metallic
- LY3U Tango Red Metallic
- LY7C Nardo Grey
- LY7G Quartz Grey Metallic
- LY7H Akoya Silver Metallic
- LY7J Avus Silver Metallic
- LY9B Brilliant Black
- LY9C Ibis White
- LY9T Mythos Black Metallic
- LZ3M Garnet Red Pearl Effect
- LZ5C Mauritius Blue Pearl Effect
- LZ7H Meteor Grey Pearl Effect
- LZ7L Lava Grey Pearl Effect
- LZ7S Daytona Grey Pearl Effect
- LZ9Y Phantom Black Pearl Effect
Sorted by paint code. Not every color was offered on every A4 generation or in every market.
Audi A4 exterior trim codes
- PQD S line exterior package
- 4ZB High gloss package, exterior moldings
- 4ZD Black styling package
- 6FA Exterior mirror housings in body color
- 6FJ Exterior mirror housings in black
- 6XE Power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors
- 6XL Power folding heated exterior mirrors with memory
- 3S1 Roof rails in black, Avant and allroad
- 3S2 Roof rails in silver, Avant and allroad
- 2Z7 Model and technology badge at rear
- 2Z0 Without model badge at rear
- 4KF Privacy glass
- 4KC Heat insulating glass, side and rear windows
- 3FU Power sunroof
Audi A4 lighting codes
- 8EX Xenon Plus headlights with LED daytime running lights
- 8IT LED headlights
- 8Q1 Manual headlight range adjustment
- 8Q3 Automatic headlight range adjustment
- 8Q5 Automatic headlights with coming home and leaving home
- 8G1 High beam assist
- 8K1 Separate daytime running lights
- 8K4 LED daytime running lights in headlight
- 8X1 Headlight washers
- 8SP LED taillights
- 8SK Halogen taillights
- 8WH Static cornering light
Matrix LED codes vary by generation and year. If your car has Matrix LED, confirm the code on the dealer printout.
Audi A4 interior option codes
- 4A3 Heated front seats
- 4A4 Heated front and rear seats
- 3PN Power driver seat with memory
- Q1A Standard front seats
- Q1G Sport seats
- 7P1 Electric lumbar support, front seats
- 1XW Leather steering wheel, 4 spoke
- 1XX Leather 3 spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles
- 2PF Flat bottom sport steering wheel
- 2C7 Manually adjustable steering column
- 9AK Dual zone automatic climate control
- 9AQ Three zone automatic climate control
- 9M9 Auxiliary heater
- 4L6 Auto dimming interior mirror
- 5MA Aluminum decorative inlays
- 6NJ Black cloth headliner
- 6E3 Front center armrest
- 7HE Extended leather package
Audi A4 safety and driver assistance codes
- PCF Assistance package with lane assist and adaptive cruise control
- 8T2 Cruise control
- 8T8 Adaptive cruise control
- 7Y1 Side assist
- 7X2 Rear parking sensors
- 7X5 Park assist with steering guidance
- 7X8 Front and rear parking sensors
- KA2 Rear view camera
- UH2 Hill hold assist
- QK1 Camera based lane assist
- QR9 Traffic sign recognition
- 7L8 Start stop system
- 7W1 Audi pre sense basic
- 1AT Electronic stabilization program with traction control
- 4UF Front airbags with passenger airbag deactivation
- 4X3 Front side airbags and curtain airbags
- 4H5 Manual child safety lock
- 7K1 Tire pressure monitoring, passive
- 7K6 Tire pressure monitoring, active
- 8N6 Light and rain sensor
Audi A4 infotainment and communication codes
- 7UF MMI Radio plus
- 7UG MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch
- 9S9 Audi virtual cockpit
- 9ZX Bluetooth hands free
- 9ZK Audi smartphone interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 9VD Audi sound system
- 9VS Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system
Audi A4 drivetrain codes
- 1X1 quattro all wheel drive
- 1G1 Space saver spare wheel
- 1G5 Tire repair kit in place of spare wheel
Wheel design codes vary by year and market. Verify fitment against the VIN, brake size and tire placard before buying wheels.
Audi A4 VIN Decoder FAQs
Where is the VIN number on an Audi A4?
At the bottom of the windshield on the driver side, on the door jamb label, on the data sticker in the spare wheel well and service book, and stamped into the body in the engine bay. It's also on the title or V5C logbook.
Where is the chassis number on an Audi A4?
The chassis number is the VIN. It's stamped into the body in the engine bay and repeated on the windshield, door jamb and data sticker.
Can I decode a UK or European Audi A4 VIN?
Only partly with most free tools, because they run on US data. You can read the generation and model year yourself using the guide above, then decode the PR codes for the full spec.
What does WAUZZZ8K mean?
WAU is Audi, ZZZ is filler used on European market VINs, and 8K is the model code for the B8 A4 built from 2008 to 2016. A B9 A4 shows F4 in the same spot.
Is my Audi A4 a B8 or a B9?
Look at positions 7 and 8 of the VIN. 8K is a B8 and F4 is a B9. Position 10 gives you the model year.
How do I find out what options my Audi A4 has?
Read the PR codes from the data sticker in the spare wheel well or service book and paste them into the decoder above. An Audi dealer can also print the full factory spec from your VIN.
Can the VIN confirm S line, Premium Plus or Prestige?
Not on its own. The VIN confirms the model and year. Trim and packs show up in the PR codes and on the dealer printout.
Can the VIN tell me if my A4 is manual, Multitronic, S tronic or Tiptronic?
Not reliably. US decoders sometimes return a transmission style, but the gearbox code on the data sticker or the dealer printout is the proof.
How do I know if an Audi S4 or RS4 is genuine?
Check the engine code, the quattro code 1X1 on the data sticker and the dealer printout. Bumpers, badges and wheels prove nothing.
Does every Audi A4 have quattro?
No. Many are front wheel drive. quattro is standard on the allroad, S4 and RS4 and common on higher output petrol and diesel models.
Dale Ogden
Dale has spent more than 20 years in vehicle valuations, forecasting and asset management. He was a Forecast Manager at CAP HPI, the UK's leading vehicle valuation authority and a counterpart to Kelley Blue Book.
He helped pioneer early electric vehicle depreciation models adopted by major manufacturers, and his residual value forecasts cover more than 10,000 vehicles. Today his data led insights help buyers, enthusiasts and automotive professionals around the world.
What Is Your Audi A4 Spec Worth?
Virtual cockpit, LED lighting, Bang and Olufsen, quattro, S line. Two A4s can look the same in photos and be worth very different money. See what the options on yours are worth today.
Value my Audi optionsFree, instant valuations for your Audi's options and spec.
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