Get a build sheet for your Audi

Whether you’re an Audi owner, buyer, seller, or simply an enthusiast, the build sheet is the definitive record for uncovering how a vehicle was originally configured. It outlines every factory-installed feature—from trim levels and option packages to paint codes, interior materials, axle ratios, and other production specifications. While some automakers provide free access to build sheets or original window stickers, availability depends on the brand and model year. To make the process easier, we’ve created an Audi Build Sheet by VIN lookup tool. By entering an Audi’s VIN, users can instantly check for available factory build information.

If an official Audi build sheet isn’t offered as a no-cost service by the automaker, our system will automatically search for a free OEM window sticker as an alternative. When neither document can be retrieved directly, we collaborate with a verified, trusted data partner capable of reconstructing the build sheet or window sticker using authentic factory records to maintain precision.

The FAQ below dives into every key aspect of Audi build sheets—where to find them, what details they reveal, and why they’re essential for verifying a car’s original specifications.

Audi Build Sheets FAQ

What exactly is an Audi “build sheet”?

It’s the vehicle’s factory configuration record. In Audi/VW Group terms, the backbone of a build sheet is the list of PR codes (three‑character option/feature codes) plus core identifiers like engine code, transmission code, paint code, and interior code. On many Audis, the build data is printed on a Vehicle Data Sticker in the car and duplicated in the service/warranty booklet, and it’s also stored digitally in Audi’s systems. Audi describes the sticker’s contents in its owner’s manuals: VIN; vehicle/engine/gearbox codes; Paint No. / Interior equipment; and Optional equipment codes (the PR codes). Importantly, a VIN by itself is not a full build sheet. A VIN decoder (including NHTSA’s) will tell you primary items encoded in the VIN(make, model, body type, sometimes engine family, plant), but not a complete list of factory options.

Where do I find the build sheet in the car?

On most U.S.-market Audis from the 1990s through much of the 2010s:

• Under the cargo floor near the spare‑wheel well; there is (or was, when the car was initially assembled) a Vehicle Data Sticker with PR codes in this location

• Inside the front cover of the service/warranty booklet: a duplicate of the same sticker

If it’s missing, don’t panic. Stickers get removed in repairs/detailing, and some recent models don’t include the printed label. In that case you can pull a digital record, call a dealer and provide them with the VIN, or use the official erWin service site.

How do I obtain an official build sheet or factory equipment list for an Audi?

You have several options:

1. Ask an Audi dealer to print the VIN‑specific equipment list. U.S. dealers can access Audi’s backend to print “Vehicle Data” with PR numbers for your VIN.
2. Use Audi’s official service portal (erWin). With a short‑term paid subscription, you can enter the VIN and retrieve the “Vehicle Data” page that lists the PR‑Numbers for that car.
3. Try a third-party site. For example, Build Sheet by VIN looks up build sheet availability after you enter a VIN, and also checks for window sticker information if no build sheet is available.
4. For classic Audis: Order archival documentation from Audi Tradition. They offer a Vehicle Identification Certificate and a Data Sheet that summarize the car’s original delivery configuration and technical data (chassis number, model, build year, options as available from the archive). This is the cleanest route for older/collector cars whose paper stickers are long gone.
5. Last resort / DIY: If your physical Vehicle Data Sticker is present, you can decode it yourself (see decoding guide below) using reputable PR‑code references such as PlanetVAG’s decoder and compiled Audi PR‑code lists. These are helpful, but they’re not “official” outputs tied to your VIN.

Emailing or a random chat to “get a build sheet” isn’t guaranteed. Audi of America’s Customer Experience team can help (and sometimes provides a window sticker PDF when available), but build‑sheet access is more reliably obtained via a dealer printout or erWin subscription.

What information is available on the build sheet?

• Identifiers: VIN; model type code; engine and gearbox codes; paint (e.g., LY9B) and interior codes. Audi shows these fields on the Vehicle Data Sticker in the owner’s manuals.

• PR codes: Three‑character production codes that enumerate installed (and sometimes explicitly not‑installed) equipment. Audi’s service portal shows these under “PR‑Numbers,” and I‑CAR notes Audi even lists certain “not equipped” items (example: PR QR8 = “without traffic sign recognition” on a sample VIN).

• Engine code cross‑references: If you want to double‑check the engine code against Audi parts catalogs, ETKA code tables are widely referenced by parts departments.

How do I decode an Audi build sheet, step by step?

1. Read the top lines:

   • Confirm VIN, model type, production date (if present).

   • Note engine code (e.g., CAEB, CREC) and transmission code; verify via a trusted engine‑code list if needed.

2. Identify colors and trim:

   • Locate Paint No. (e.g., LY9B / Y9B) and Interior equipment codes on the sticker; these are standard fields Audi lists in its manuals.

3. Decode the PR codes (the heart of the build):

   • Enter the 3‑character PR codes into a reliable reference (e.g., PlanetVAG PR search or compiled PR‑code PDFs) to get consumer-friendly descriptions. Be aware some codes evolve over time and may be market‑ or model‑specific.

4. Cross‑check with NHTSA:

   • If you want another sanity check on basics (year/body/plant), you can run the VIN through NHTSA’s public decoder, but understand its limitations: it’s VIN‑structure‑based and does not return your full options list. It also only covers standardized VINs (MY1981+).

5. Document it:

   • Save a PDF of the build sheet, and keep a photo of the sticker in your glovebox and digital version you can access quickly. It will save you time whenever you order parts or verify features.

How did Audi build sheets work historically vs. today?

• Older models (pre‑connected era): The paper Vehicle Data Sticker was the consumer‑facing artifact with PR codes; dealers accessed parts systems to interpret them. Many 1990s–2000s U.S. Audis still have the sticker in the spare‑well and in the owner’s manual.

• Modern cars: A digital record lives in Audi’s service ecosystem. You (or your shop) can retrieve a VIN‑specific PR‑Numbers list via erWin or have a dealer print it—effectively a digital build sheet.

• Classics/heritage: For archival confirmation (useful for concours/insurance), Audi Tradition sells a Vehicle Identification Certificate and Data Sheets with factory delivery information drawn from the archives.

What’s the difference between an Audi build sheet and an Audi window sticker?

• Purpose:

  • Build sheet (PR list / Vehicle Data): internal configuration record—what the car was built with, expressed as codes and technical identifiers; no pricing info

  • Window sticker (Monroney label): a federally required consumer price/information label on new vehicles only; shows MSRP, standard/optional equipment with prices fuel economy label, safety ratings, etc.

• Legal status:

  • Build sheet: internal manufacturing/service data; not a legal disclosure

  • Monroney: mandated by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1231–1233); must be affixed to new vehicles

A window sticker is not a build sheet. The sticker is a consumer‑facing price disclosure; the build sheet is the engineering/parts record verifying the car’s original configuration.

Can I get a build sheet for a pre‑1981 (short‑VIN) Audi?

Yes—Audi Tradition is your path for documentation on vintage and early modern‑classic U.S. Audis. NHTSA’s VIN decoder and many modern VIN‑based tools don’t cover pre‑1981 vehicles, but this archive can.

Do public VIN decoders show my full options list?

No. NHTSA’s decoder (and most generic VIN APIs) decode what the VIN structure encodes; they don’t fetch a detailed accounting of your Audi’s PR‑code inventory. Use the VIN decoder for a quick sanity check, not as a substitute for the build sheet.

What practical things can I do with my build sheet?

• Order the right parts on the first try. Audi makes many running changes distinguished only by PR codes (suspension, brakes, audio, wheel/tire packages). Give your shop the PR list to avoid incorrect parts.

• Confirm desirable options when buying used. Example: verify 7K6 (indirect TPMS) or premium audio (9VK) is present rather than trusting a sales listing.

• Help body shops and calibrations. Collision industry guidance explicitly uses Audi’s PR‑Numbers via erWin for blueprinting and ADAS feature verification.

What are some common misconceptions around Audi build sheets?

• “VIN = options list.” The VIN does not encode information about the installed options. Use the VIN plus PR‑Numbers (dealer or erWin) to get the true configuration.

• “Window sticker = build sheet.” The window sticker is a legal price/spec disclosure for new cars; the build sheet is an internal configuration record—no prices.

• “My car doesn’t have the trunk sticker, so I’m out of luck.” You can use third party sites, dealer printouts, or erWin to retrieve PR codes.

How can I contact support?

If you have any issues or questions, feel free to reach out to our support team via info at buildsheetbyvin dot com.

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