Where is the VIN number in Audi A4 (B5 (8D))?

This guide shows where to find the VIN (chassis number) on the Audi A4 B5 (8D) produced between 1995–2000. If you’re verifying identity before buying, always prioritize the body-stamped VIN first, then cross-check it against the stickers/plates.

Chassis Number Locations

Firewall / Bulkhead (Stamped VIN)

• Where to look: Open the hood and go to the rear of the engine bay. The VIN is stamped into the metal firewall/bulkhead inside the plenum chamber (water box) under the windshield base—typically near the center or slightly to the right side of the car.
• Access: High difficulty. Pry up the rubber weather seal and lift/loosen the plastic rain tray (cowl/debris cover). Expect dirt buildup; the stamping can be recessed and shadowed, and access may be tight around nearby components.
• Note: Works for both Sedan and Avant. “Left/right” here refers to the car’s left/right (direction of travel), not driver position.
• Tip: Because it’s recessed, dark, and often grimy, use the app’s camera plus high-contrast capture to read faint characters—scan it directly with the VIN reader instead of trying to write it down in an awkward position.

Identification Plate (Type Plate)

• Where to look: With the hood open, look for a metal/sticker ID plate on the right-side inner fender reinforcement or on the radiator lock carrier (slam panel) near the headlight.
• Access: Low difficulty. Usually visible immediately; you may only need to wipe dust off the label/plate.
• Note: This is an ID plate, not the main body stamping—use it for cross-checking details.
• Tip: Clean the surface and use the free VIN scanner to OCR the characters accurately if the print is small or partially worn.

Trunk / Spare Wheel Well (Data Sticker)

• Where to look: In the trunk, lift the carpet/floor panel. The white data sticker is typically on the boot floor (often left side under the carpet) or inside the spare wheel well.
• Access: Medium difficulty. Empty the trunk and lift the floor panel/carpet; on older cars (1995–2000) the sticker may be faded, torn, or missing.
• Note: On some Avant (wagon) layouts, the sticker may be in a side storage compartment area rather than centered in the wheel well.
• Tip: If the sticker is faded or stained, capture it with your phone using ScanVin so the AI can help pick up light print you’d miss by eye.

Dashboard VIN (North America Only)

• Where to look: At the lower corner of the windshield on the left side of the car (driver side on LHD US cars), viewed from outside.
• Access: Medium difficulty. Readability depends on lighting; glare/reflection on the glass is common.
• Note: Most EU-spec Audi A4 B5 cars do not have a visible windshield VIN panel—don’t panic if you can’t find it.
• Tip: To beat windshield glare and avoid transcription errors, scan the VIN instantly and let the app lock onto the characters.

Video Guide

No videos are included for this model in this guide because the provided sources were not for an Audi A4 B5 (8D).

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Can’t see the stamped VIN in the plenum chamber: Lift the rubber seal higher, pull the rain tray up further, and scrub the area—these stampings sit in a dirty, shadowed recess.
• Sticker missing or unreadable in the trunk: On cars this age, the paper label often peels, fades, or gets water-damaged—use the stamped firewall VIN as your primary proof.
• Warning: Don’t rely on only one identifier. A valid check is matching the stamped body VIN to the type plate and trunk data sticker (when present). Any mismatch is a red flag.

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