Billy Covington If you’re a Subaru owner or planning to buy one, you may have heard about the VIN. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-digit code that identifies every vehicle manufactured after 1980. It contains vital information about the car’s specifications, including the model, engine type, manufacturing plant, and production sequence. Understanding how to read Subaru VIN can help you make informed decisions when buying or maintaining a Subaru. In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to decode Subaru VIN and what information it reveals.
Key Takeaways
- The Subaru VIN is a 17-digit unique code that identifies a specific vehicle.
- The VIN is important when buying or maintaining a car as it reveals important information about the vehicle.
- The first three digits of a Subaru VIN represent the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), which indicates the manufacturer and country of origin.
- The fourth to eighth digits of a Subaru VIN represent the vehicle attributes, including the model, engine type, and body style.
- The ninth digit of a Subaru VIN is the check digit, which is calculated using a specific formula to ensure the VIN’s validity.
- The tenth digit of a Subaru VIN represents the model year of the vehicle.
- The remaining digits of a Subaru VIN represent the production sequence and serial number of the vehicle.
How to Read Subaru VIN
Reading Subaru VIN is easy once you understand what each digit represents. Here’s a step-by-step guide to decoding Subaru VIN:
Step 1: Locate the VIN
The VIN can be found in several locations on a Subaru vehicle. The most common locations include:
- The driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield.
- The driver’s side door jamb.
- The engine bay.
Step 2: Understand the WMI
The first three digits of a Subaru VIN represent the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). The WMI identifies the manufacturer and country of origin. For Subaru vehicles, the WMI is JF1 or JF2, indicating that the car was manufactured in Japan.
Step 3: Identify the Vehicle Attributes
The fourth to eighth digits of a Subaru VIN represent the vehicle attributes, including the model, engine type, and body style. Here’s what each digit represents:
- Digit 4: Vehicle Line and Series
- Digit 5: Body Style and Transmission Type
- Digit 6: Engine Type
- Digit 7: Restraint System
- Digit 8: Model Year
A Subaru VIN decoder tool can help you interpret these digits and understand the specific information about your car.
Step 4: Check the Check Digit
The ninth digit of a Subaru VIN is the check digit, which is used to verify the VIN’s validity. The check digit is calculated using a specific formula that takes into account the previous eight digits of the VIN. The purpose of the check digit is to prevent fraudulent VINs and ensure that each vehicle has a unique identifier.
Step 5: Determine the Model Year
The tenth digit of a Subaru VIN represents the model year of the vehicle. The code is a letter that corresponds to a specific year, starting with A for 1980 and ending with Y for 2000. From 2001 onwards, the code is a number that represents the model year, such as 1 for 2001, 2 for 2002, and so on.
Step 6: Decipher the Production Sequence
The remaining digits of a Subaru VIN represent the production sequence and serial number of the vehicle. These digits provide information about the specific vehicle, including its manufacturing plant and production sequence.
What Information Does Subaru VIN Reveal?
Now that you know how to read Subaru VIN, what information does it reveal about your car? Here’s a breakdown of the key information you can obtain from a Subaru VIN:
- Manufacturer and country of origin
- Vehicle attributes, including model, engine type, and body style
- Restraint system
- Model year
- Production sequence and serial number
Understanding this information can help you make informed decisions when buying or maintaining a Subaru. For example, knowing the engine type and model year can help you find the right parts for your car or identify any recalls or service campaigns that apply to your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the VIN important?
The VIN is important because it provides a unique identifier for each vehicle. It contains vital information about the car’s specifications, including the model, engine type, manufacturing plant, and production sequence. This information can help you make informed decisions when buying or maintaining a car.
Where can I find the VIN on my Subaru?
The VIN can be found in several locations on a Subaru vehicle, including the driver’s side dashboard, the driver’s side door jamb, and the engine bay.
How do I decode a Subaru VIN?
To decode a Subaru VIN, you need to understand what each digit represents. The first three digits represent the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), followed by vehicle attributes, check digit, model year, and production sequence.
Can I use a Subaru VIN decoder tool?
Yes, a Subaru VIN decoder tool can help you interpret the digits of a Subaru VIN and understand the specific information about your car. There are several free online tools available that can decode Subaru VIN.
