How to decode a 2002 Audi S8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Audi S8 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle as part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system. This 3-character code provides information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, including their name and location. For instance, vehicles manufactured by Audi AG in Ingolstadt, Germany, have a WMI starting with “WAU,” which is designated for specific model years including vehicles manufactured in 2002. The Audi S8 from 2002, as a luxury passenger car, would carry this WMI, indicating its origins from Audi’s renowned manufacturing facilities in Germany. This comprehensive coding system aids in the identification, registration, and tracking of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Audi S8

WMI: WAU

Model Years Covered: 2001-2003, 2007-2009, 2013-2016, 2020-2024
Example VIN: WAUGU44D42N000786
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 2002 Audi S8 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 2002 Audi S8:

Known VDS for a 2002 Audi S8
GU44D

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 2002 Audi S8 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 2002 Audi S8 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Audi S8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Audi S8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
N	Neckarsulm		Germany		WAUGU44D42N000786

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Audi S8

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Audi S8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Audi S8’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Audi S8’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Audi S8 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Audi S8. It is typically visible through the windshield near the corner.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. The VIN can often be found on a label or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Audi S8; the VIN might be stamped on the front engine block.
Inspect the trunk area of your vehicle, sometimes the VIN is located in the spare tire well or on the trunk’s hinge.
Look in your Audi S8’s service or maintenance book, as the VIN is usually recorded there by the dealership.
If you still have them, peruse the vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, since the VIN is always listed there.

What info can a 2002 Audi S8 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age of the vehicle. For example, it may indicate the year 2002 for the Audi S8, offering potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Details: Specifics about the engine, such as its displacement in liters, horsepower, and the number of cylinders, are encapsulated within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, can be discerned from the VIN, offering essential information on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and operational cost.
Safety Features: The VIN can unveil crucial safety features like airbag locations, indicating a comprehensive passive safety system.
Body Details: Information on the vehicle’s body class and the number of doors gives potential buyers or owners an idea of the vehicle’s size, design, and functional attributes.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN can pinpoint the manufacturing location, offering a glimpse into the production origin and potentially the manufacturing quality.
Emission Standards and Restraint Systems: Further details, such as emission standards compliance and specific restraint system information, are encoded in the VIN, reflecting the vehicle’s environmental impact.

Don’t have your 2002 Audi S8’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Audi S8

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	4172
Displacement (CI)	254.591060363
Displacement (L)	4.172000
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	360
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	S8
Model Year	2002
Other Engine Info	50-St/Can. TLEV emission std. Emissions Certification Test Group: 2ADXV04.2335
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt.
Plant City	Neckarsulm
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Vehicle Descriptor	WAUGU44D*2N
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WAUGU44D42N000786