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Audi Launches VIN Checker for Cars Affected by TDI Emissions Problem

According to recent media reports, Audi has admitted that 2.1 million of its cars have been fitted with the cheating software allowing TDI engines to lower emissions during tests. A recall will be carried out, but which ones. We have a rough idea, but customers in Germany can get a “yes or no” answer by visiting audi.de.
Audi Launches VIN Checker for Cars Affected by TDI Emissions Problem 1 photo
Photo: Audi
Simply put, a new service is in place whereby you have to enter your VIN code. Within a few seconds, you will learn if your car is affected or not by the Dieselgate scandal and also learn about any potential recall.

The alternative is for the customers to call their local dealerships. Of course, since they caused the problem to begin with, Audi will carry out all the necessary fixes free of charge. But the repair procedure isn’t ready yet and could take until the end of October to finalize.

Currently only available in Germany, the VIN checker will be rolled out globally in coming days. But we can already give you a good idea of what to expect. As of this week, all cars fitted with the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI engines belonging to the EA 189 family are considered flawed.

Audi insists the affected models are perfectly safe and roadworthy without any restriction. However, some countries currently forbid their sale. The 1.6-liter and 2.0liter TDI engines certified according to the new EU6 emission standard are not affected. The same applies to V6 and V8 TDI engines, irrespective of whether they are certified according to EU5 or EU6.

Around 1.45 million Audis with these cheating diesel engines are in Western Europe, 577,000 of which reside in Germany. The US, where the problem was first found, only has13,000. The models in question belong to the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5 ranges.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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