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Audi Part Numbers Demystified

June 8, 2013 | by Audi Addict | Audi Parts
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, youll 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 Audi 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 drivers 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.

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Audi 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 5s 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, youll see at a glance the type of component or system the part belongs to.

Here are the identifying numbers for the ten Main Groups. 1. Engine 2. Gas Tank, Lines, Exhaust, Heater 3. Transmission
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4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

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 examples 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 110.

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 arent 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
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5N0 821 106 Right Side Part 3. The lower number in a set of parts belongs closer to the vehicles 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 drivers 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 newin 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.

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If its 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. Weve 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 well reply as soon as possible.
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1. Jane Marshall August 7, 2013 at 11:48 pm hello First ..many thanks for your very helpful article plus the accompanying one on aftermarket audi parts. My question is when buying replacement parts, how important are the first 3 characters of the part number. ie model, engine , transmission.? Specifically I am looking for a power steering dampener for a RHD audi cabrio.1994 model 2.6litre 150 hp motor with an ABC engine. I have been advised by an audi dealer that I need part 8A2425021. I seen some after market parts (eg by Boge) that have audi reference numbers starting with either 321 or 823 then the last 6 digits are the same as last 6 digits of the original audi part number I was advised to purchase. (so expensive!!) Can anyone advise please many thanks Reply Leave a Reply Name required Mail (will not be published) required
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