Where is the VIN number in Audi A3 (8V)?

This guide covers the VIN (chassis number) locations on the Audi A3 8V, produced between 2013 and 2020, with the exact spots you can physically check and scan.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Engine Bay – Chassis Stamp (hidden under rubber seal)

• Where to look: Open the hood and go to the right side of the engine bay (vehicle right, as you sit in the car). Locate the metal suspension strut tower / fender apron area where the metal runs parallel to the fender. The VIN is stamped into the metal but covered by a soft rubber/plastic weatherstrip—pull/lift the weatherstrip up and aside to reveal the alphanumeric stamping.
• Access: High difficulty. It’s completely obscured by the trim seal, and the channel often collects dirt and leaves—wipe/scrub the area before trying to read it.
• Note: The inspection vehicles were LHD. On many MQB-platform cars, this stamping is still found on the right-side engine-bay structure—so don’t assume it changes with steering position.
• Tip: Because the stamp is often dirty and low-contrast, use High Contrast AI Mode to scan it directly with your phone after you lift the rubber seal.

2) B-Pillar – Door Jamb Data Label (sticker)

• Where to look: Open the front passenger door and look on the B-pillar door jamb, low down. You’ll see a black/silver data sticker with printed vehicle information, including the VIN.
• Access: Low difficulty. The label is high-contrast and easy to read, but it sits low, so you’ll need to crouch and hold the camera steady.
• Note: Works the same on Sportback body style as shown in the inspection.
• Tip: To avoid misreading characters while crouched, use the free VIN reader and let OCR capture the sticker cleanly.

3) Windshield – Visible VIN plate (through glass)

• Where to look: From outside the car, check the lower corner of the windshield on the left side (vehicle left). The VIN is visible through the glass on a standard VIN plate.
• Access: Medium difficulty. Easy to find, but glare/reflections and dirty glass can make characters hard to read.
• Note: Best checked in shade or with your body blocking reflections.
• Tip: If glare is washing out the digits, capture it with your phone instead of transcribing it by hand.

4) Boot/Trunk – Vehicle data sticker (possible location)

• Where to look: Some Audi/VW vehicles also have a VIN/data sticker in the boot, often near the spare wheel well/floor area under the trunk mat.
• Access: Varies—may require lifting the floor panel and moving cargo.
• Note: This spot wasn’t demonstrated in the validated A3 videos, so treat it as a possible backup if your door sticker is missing.
• Tip: If you’re bent over the boot floor and can’t comfortably write it down, scan the label instead to avoid mistakes.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Where is the VIN number of my AUDI A3 8V ( 2012 – 2020 ) | All Possible VIN Number Locations

▶ Watch Audi A3 VIN Location Guide

• Shows the passenger-side B-pillar sticker, the engine-bay stamp (including lifting the rubber seal), and the windshield VIN.

Video Tutorial: Engine and chassis number i audio a3 spb year 2020 model 2020

▶ Watch Audi A3 VIN Location Guide

• Workshop demo confirming the engine-bay chassis stamp location; also points out the engine number.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• “I can’t find the stamped VIN in the engine bay.” You usually won’t see it until you lift the rubber/plastic weatherstrip on the right-side fender apron/strut tower area—clean debris first.
• “The windshield VIN is unreadable.” Glare and reflections are common; wipe the glass and try scanning from an angle or in shade.
• Sticker warning: A door-jamb sticker can be missing, repainted over, or replaced—for buying/verification, cross-check the windshield VIN + stamped chassis VIN for consistency.

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