This article explains the Audi part numbering system. The parts numbering system used by Audi dates back to the 1930s and the original designs created by Ferdinand Porsche. It may look daunting, but once you learn to “speak the language,” you’ll find that the system is completely consistent and its use becomes second nature.
In addition to Audi, this part numbering system is applicable to the entire Volkswagen Group, which includes brands like Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen. Understanding Volkswagen Group part numbering system will allow you to reference parts across various brands and models.
How can I look up part numbers?
Part numbers can be found through ETKA, the electronic parts number catalog for VAG. Only authorized dealers can use the official legal copy of ETKA. However, for about $40/month, regular users and independent shops can purchase access to an online ETKA, partslink24, and search part numbers and place orders online. The subscription will also gives you the ability to identify the exact parts that came on your vehicle by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
You can learn the year of manufacture of any Audi vehicle by looking at the sticker on the driver’s door post and at the imprint on the dashboard. The door sticker and dashboard number also contains the VIN. The VIN numbering system identifies individual vehicles. Only one VIN number exists for each car. Every automobile in the United States has its own VIN number.
Audi & VW Part Number Structure
The basic part number structure always has nine (9) characters. In many cases, additional suffix characters are added to indicate special part characteristics such as color, design variations, etc. A part number may be as long as fourteen (14) characters if it incorporates one or more of the extra characters. Even though sometimes part numbers are written without spaces – for example, 4D0853684K3FZ – it helps to think of it as five (5) groups of characters: 4D0 853 684 K 3FZ. The breakdown below shows how the number is built and how to interpret the five groups of numbers..
The First Set: Model, Engine, Transmission Code
The first three characters ordinarily indicate the vehicle type, engine, or transmission for which the part was developed. It may consist of letters and/or numbers. In this case, 4D0 indicates a 1997-era Audi A8 (D2 chassis). All parts made for a specific model, body style variation, engine or transmission have the same first three-character part number code. Since many parts can be used on more than one model, the first three digits do not restrict the part to that model alone.
As another example, part number 06A 115 561 B is an oil filter. An oil filter like this might fit some other models. So in this case the first three digits, 06A, do not designate a particular model, but rather which engine the oil filter was first developed for.
Every individual model, body style variation, engine and transmission has its own three-character code. The list is quite long, but several examples give a feel for the system:
- 857 = Audi Quattro, original or urquattro
- 034 = Inline 5’s like the MC1, 3B or AAN engines
- 8D0 = Audi A4 1996 – 2000.5 (B5 chassis)
- 0C8 = 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
- 02D = Haldex rear differential found on the TT quattro
The Second Set: Main Group/Subgroup
Main Group
The first digit of the second group of three characters identifies the part as belonging to one of ten Main Groups. Once you know these, you’ll see at a glance the type of component or system the part belongs to.
Here are the identifying numbers for the ten Main Groups.
- Engine
- Gas Tank, Lines, Exhaust, Heater
- Transmission
- Front Axle, Differential, Steering
- Rear Suspension
- Wheels and Brakes
- Hand and Foot Levers/Pedals, Safety Covers
- Body Parts and Interior Trim
- Electrical and Electrical Systems
- Accessories (Jacks, Tools, Stickers, and Radio Equipment)
Using this logic, all Body parts have 8 in the fourth position of the part number.
Subgroup
The next two characters identify Subgroups of parts within a Main Group. For example, in Main Group 8 for Body parts, there are Subgroups for subsystems such as bumpers (807), fenders (821), doors (831 for front and 833 for rear), front seats (881), and so on.
Our example’s Subgroup designation means that this part can be found in section 53 of main group 8, which is “moldings, grilles and emblems” (853).
Repair Kits
A repair kit contains the parts needed to perform a specific repair (a brake pad set, carburetor set, or a brake cylinder repair kit). Brake pads, for example, always come in sets, as they are always replaced in sets. The middle three digits of a repair kit part number can help identify it, as demonstrated in the following example:
This example is a brake pad set for Audi A4 2002 >08 (B6/B7 chassis). Whenever the Subgroup – the fifth and sixth digits of the part number sequence – is 98, it means the part is a repair kit. The Subgroup 98 applies to all Main Groups 1–10.
The Third Set: The Part Number
The actual part within a Subgroup is identified in the last three digits of the part number. This set is always numbers, no letters.
However, the numbers aren’t simply sequential. Here are a few rules for the third set:
1. Major Assemblies begin with a Zero
- 06J 100 033 T Engine
2. If the part is available in a left- or a right-side version, the last number in the actual part number sequence is either an even or an odd digit. An even digit usually indicates a right-side part, and an odd digit usually indicates a left-side part. A variation to the odd/even designation is that parts that could be used on either side ordinarily have an odd digit:
- 5N0 821 105 Left Side Part
- 5N0 821 106 Right Side Part
3. The lower number in a set of parts belongs closer to the vehicle’s front, higher numbers to the rear:
- 357 253 209 A Front Muffler
- 357 253 609 A Rear Muffler
4. In any group of parts that build a system, the lower the number, the larger the part:
- 1Q1 857 001 AD 81X Dashboard
- 1K0 857 117 B Clamp
5. In any component build-up, the lower the number, the larger the part:
- 06A 100 098 CX Engine
- 06A 100 105 TX Short Block
Important: In configuring part locations on a vehicle, left, right, front, or rear is always determined from the driver’s seat facing forward.
The Fourth Set: Modification Codes
Parts are sometimes modified or changed (different design, different supplier, and different materials). If a part is modified, a modification letter is added to the nine-digit base part number.
In our example, the fog light grille is designated by a modified part number shown with the letter K. Part numbers with modification letters may or may not interchange with previous parts because of the modification, even though they share the same base part number, except for the letter modification. The modification letter or letters, which can be either in the 10th or in the 10th and 11th position of the part number, can also indicate a different version of the part.
Normally there is only one modification letter or designation, but a frequently modified part may have two letters. And the alphabetical sequence of the modification letter normally indicates how many modifications or versions have been made. A part may also be modified before manufacturing at the factory, after it has been assigned a part number. It then has a modification code from the start.
Re-Manufactured Parts
A re-manufactured part is vastly different from one that has been “rebuilt” or “reconditioned.” Re-manufacturing is a complete procedure that makes the part just as good as when it was new—in some cases, by incorporating technical advances that have occurred since its original manufacture, making the re-manufactured part technically superior to its original design.
The part numbers of re-manufactured parts are similar to those for most other parts. They have nine digits, showing the usual model, main/subgroup, and part designations. They also may have modification letters. However, the letter X always occurs as the 11th digit in the part number. Here is an example:
The Fifth Set: Color Code
Some part numbers have a color code. which 12 through 14th position of the part number. In our example, the fog light grille is “3FZ” or “Textured Satin Black Plastic”.
If it’s included it can be a mix of letters or numbers. This is often found on interior trim and seats since there are so many color combinations. “GRU” always means means primed or ready to paint. A few common examples of the color codes are:
- 01C = Satin Black Plastic
- 5A2 = Beige
- 5PR = Rubberized Black Plastic
- 1H7 = Silver Painted
- 6PJ = Maritime Blue
Fluids and Hardware
Fluids and small hardware have numbers preceded by capital letters to help identify the type of material or application:
- G = Lubricants and coolant
- D, AKD, AMV = Sealing compounds and adhesives
- B = Brake fluids and pastes
- N = bolts, nuts, clamps, gaskets, etc.
Questions?
We hope you now have a much better understanding of the Audi part numbering system and find it useful in your future projects. We’ve kept the info in this article as concise as possible and a lot of info was left out due to length constraints. If you have any further questions, please post a comment and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
In my case I have a piece 5K0 820 803 EX from a Passat CC 2.0 TDI. I can’t find compatibles pieces with this modification code (EX). I can find some pieces compatible with 5K0 820 803 but not 5K0 820 803 EX.
5K0 937 087 ACZ 12 or 5K0 937 087 ACZ 13 ?
They are outside the system described.
I have been searching for an answer to the difference between 4E0941029BP and 4E0941029BG but still having difficulty. Trying to order replacement headlight units for my 2007 Audi S8 VIN WAUPN44E17N009460 . Any help appreciated, Thanks
03P131512C 3 is the part number of my polo EGR . can i use an EGR having the following part number 03P131512B, 03P131512C, 03P131512D.
Have a 2004 a4 in a shop in atlanta ga supect they didnot swap my engine with a used engine i had shipped to them, but swapped intake and valve covers because they didn’t know they would have to remove the front end. Any way to identify the orignal engine by vin serial# or otherwise. Car sounds the same as when they towed it in.
Can anyone tell me what the difference or significance is in a 2004 Audi S4 vin, change where parts are different by early or late last 6 production numbers..
Here is the problem, need a replacement engine for my 2004 Audi S4, 4.2 liter, many bone yards show early vin and late vin by the last 6 digits, mine is early numbers.. most engines say they don’t fit the early vin, the engines in question are S4 specific just newer yrs, 2005 and newer.. I have a good line on such a 2007 S4, 4.2…… question is, what is the significance of the vin change and will this later yr engine work and what changes if any are needed….
Any help would be greatly appreciated, cracked rings from a stuck fuel injector ruined my current 4.2, damaged cylinder walls…
dear sir
firstly thank you a lot for your explain.
can you give send to me a list of models or types of all vw groups cars like (4D0…..). and the list of the color if any like (01C).
and i need to know how can I know which part is compatible for another if they changed it for example 4E0 941 029 BP and 4E0 941 029 Bj
thank you
Hi. I have a Skoda superb which requires a replacement ECU part no 04L906026ET, I can find parts listed with no 04L907309R which have a second part no attached 04L906026ET. I wonder if anyone knows why they have 2 part numbers attached and if the 907309R code will still be ok for my vehicle. Many thanks. Mike
I had engine on my audi Q5 replaced due to high oil consuption. The mechanic said he placed a 32k engine, but I am still having same problem and he refuses to provide me with the car VIN # the engine came from.
I had Audi dealership look up the engine serial # is CAE25030 but they also said they will not give me the VIN# and told me to call AUDI Customer Service.instead.
I would appreciat it If anyone can help with any information.
hello. there is anyone know what the meaning of index X in the front of hardware number for an ECU? (vw group)
thank, zfanya
Hi
I have the part number for a specific part from my vehicle VIN that i need to install. ( 2017 Audi S3 sportback)
Do you know if the same part with the part number can be sourced anywhere worldwide and will work in my vehicle.
I see the same part with the same part number on Ebay for significantly cheaper than in my country.
My question really is there any difference in audi part numbers country to country.
Please advise.