How to decode a 1999 Audi A8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Audi A8 VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or number code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides insights into specific attributes such as the country of assembly, vehicle type, and even the manufacturing company itself. For instance, the 1999 Audi A8 has a WMI of ‘WAU,’ signifying that it is manufactured by Audi AG, located in Ingolstadt, Germany. This vehicle falls under the passenger car category, tracing its production back to a renowned German automaker known for its innovation and quality in the automotive industry. WMIs are an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving to standardize vehicle identification globally and offering a clear glimpse into a vehicle’s lineage and specifications. Understanding the WMI can offer valuable information, especially for those interested in the specifics of vehicle manufacturing and history.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Audi A8

WMI: WAU

Model Years Covered: 1997-2021
Example VIN: WAUBG34D0XN004241
Manufacturer Name: Audi AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Ingolstadt
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Audi A8 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1999 Audi A8:

Known VDS for a 1999 Audi A8
BG34D

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1999 Audi A8 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1999 Audi A8 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Audi A8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Audi A8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
N	Neckarsulm		Germany		WAUBG34D0XN004241

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Audi A8

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Audi A8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 1999 Audi A8’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Audi A8 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Audi A8, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. The VIN can often be found on a label or a sticker in this location for your 1999 Audi A8.
View under the hood; the VIN might also be located on the front of the engine block.
Check the trunk area of your Audi A8. Sometimes, the VIN is located in the spare tire well or on the trunk’s lid or body.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers, which should list the VIN of your 1999 Audi A8.
Inspect the frame of the car between the carburetor and windshield washer unit for a stamped VIN, which is a less common location but possible for older models like the 1999 Audi A8.

What info can a 1999 Audi A8 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: Specific vehicle details, like the Audi A8 4.2 quattro model, built by Audi with an 8-cylinder engine and 4.172-liter displacement, can often be decoded from the VIN.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as a Sedan/Saloon, with a specific number of doors, for example, 4, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, can typically be outlined in the VIN.
Safety Features: Essential safety features, including the locations of front air bags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and side air bags (1st and 2nd Rows), can possibly be deduced from the VIN details.
Manufacturing Details: Information about the place of manufacture, including the city (Neckarsulm) and country (Germany), may be gleaned from a VIN.
Engine and Performance: Insights regarding engine power, such as an engine brake horsepower of 300, can possibly be provided by the VIN.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Audi A8

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	4172
Displacement (CI)	254.591060363
Displacement (L)	4.172000
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	300
Engine Manufacturer	Audi
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	A8
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	50-St/Can., Emissions Certification Test Group: XADXV04.2325
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt.
Plant City	Neckarsulm
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	4.2 quattro
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Vehicle Descriptor	WAUBG34D*XN
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WAUBG34D0XN004241