How to decode a 2001 Audi A8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Audi A8 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a sequence of three characters that uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. For the 2001 Audi A8, the WMI is “WAU,” which signifies Audi AG as the manufacturer. This information not only confirms the car is part of Audi’s prestigious lineage but also indicates it was produced in Ingolstadt, Germany, an essential detail for tracing its origin. WMIs are an integral part of a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as a fingerprint for the vehicle’s manufacturing identity. This allows for easy verification of the vehicle type, which, for the Audi A8, is classified as a Passenger Car.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 Audi A8

WMI: WAU

Model Years Covered: 1997-2021
Example VIN: WAUML54D01N012539
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 2001 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 2001 Audi A8:

Known VDS for a 2001 Audi A8
ML54D

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 2001 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 2001 Audi A8 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

11th Character in the 2001 Audi A8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2001 Audi A8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
N	Neckarsulm		Germany		WAUML54D01N012539

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Audi A8

The final 6 characters in a 2001 Audi A8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Audi A8’s VIN below:

How to find a 2001 Audi A8’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2001 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. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on the lower corner.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Audi A8. There should be a sticker or plate which has the VIN when you open the door.
Under the hood of the Audi A8, check for a plaque or sticker that might display the VIN near the engine block.
Inspect the trunk area of your Audi A8. The VIN might be found on a sticker located in the spare tire well or on the trunk’s lid.
Review your Audi A8 vehicle documentation such as the title, registration, or insurance card, where the VIN is often recorded.

What info can a 2001 Audi A8 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2001, which provides insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN details classify the Audi A8 as a Sedan/Saloon with a 4-door layout, highlighting the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Type and Performance: The VIN decodes the engine as an 8-cylinder with a displacement of 4172 CC, delivering 310 horsepower, indicating the potential performance capabilities of the vehicle.
Fuel Type: The VIN provides insight into the vehicle’s fuel type, suggesting it’s gasoline-powered, which may be crucial for potential buyers focusing on fuel economy and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The report mentions various safety features such as airbag locations, including curtain airbags for the driver seat only, front airbags for the 1st row, and side airbags for the 1st and 2nd rows, as well as an Active Seat Belt as part of the restraint system, indicating a focus on occupant safety.
Emission Standards Compliance: The decoder indicates that the engine meets the 50-State/Canada LEV emission standards, providing insights into the vehicle’s environmental impact and registration eligibility in certain regions.
Vehicle Identification: The VIN provides a unique identifier “WAUML54D*1N,” helping in the vehicle’s identification and documentation.

Don’t have your 2001 Audi A8’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 Audi A8

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Displacement (CC)	4172
Displacement (CI)	254.591060363
Displacement (L)	4.172000
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	310
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	2001
Other Engine Info	50-St/Can. LEV emission std. Emissions Certification Test Group: 1ADXV04.2345
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt.
Plant City	Neckarsulm
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	L
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Trim	4.2 quattro
Vehicle Descriptor	WAUML54D*1N
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WAUML54D01N012539