Subaru VIN Decoder

Use our FREE Subaru VIN decoder to look up the Subaru’s specifications, including the year, make, model, engine specs, weight, transmissions, and history records in seconds.

What is Subaru VIN Decoder?

The Subaru VIN decoder gives access to detailed vehicle specs by breaking down the Vehicle Identification Number. Once the VIN is decoded, you can get the information on the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, engine, transmission types, and more. It helps you identify the car’s specs, track its history, and verify its authenticity.

How to Decode a Subaru VIN?

The VIN is a unique identifier for each car and contains essential information about the vehicle you must know before buying or selling. The VIN allows you to identify the manufacturer, the car part’s assembly location, and the unique car’s identifier, which are encoded directly on the VIN.

The letters I, O, and Q are never used in these codes because they can look like the numbers 1 and 0.

Subaru JDM VIN vs. Standard Subaru VIN – What’s the Difference?

Not all Subaru VINs follow the same rules. Vehicles made for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) often use non-standard VIN formats, typically shorter than the 17-character international format used in North America, Europe, and other global markets. Instead, JDM Subarus may rely on chassis codes like GC8 or GF8, which traditional VIN check tools can’t decode.

These differences matter, especially for importers or enthusiasts trying to verify a JDM vehicle’s specs, origin, or history.

The Art of Subaru VIN Decoding

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-character string that consists of letters and numbers. It’s divided into three parts; each section gives specific information about the car. Here’s how it works:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) (Characters 1–3): This part tells who made the vehicle and in what country.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) (Characters 4–9): Represents the car’s model, engine type, and body style.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) (Characters 10–17): You’ll find the model year, where the car was built, and its unique serial number.

Let’s break it down so it’s easier to understand.

1st Character:

Identifies the country of manufacture of the vehicle. Here are some examples:

1 or 4

USA

Canada

Mexico

Japan

Korea

England

Germany

Italy

2nd Character:

This identifies the specific manufacturer. Some common ones are mentioned below.

3rd Character

This digit shows the type of vehicle or the division that made the vehicle. For example, A, S, X, or one might mean cars, SUVs, or MPVs.

4th to 8th Characters

These numbers and letters detail the vehicle’s body, engine, model, and series.

9th Character

This check digit is used to check the VIN’s authenticity, and it might be a number or a letter.

10th Character:

The tenth character refers to the vehicle’s year of manufacture. Each year is represented by either a number or a letter. Here’s the complete list.

Code/Year

A 1980
B 1981
C 1982
D 1983
E 1984
F 1985
G 1986
H 1987
J 1988
K 1989

Code/Year

L 1990
M 1991
N 1992
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996
V 1997
W 1998
X 1999

Code/Year

Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
3 2003
4 2004
5 2005
6 2006
7 2007
8 2008
9 2009

Code/Year

A 2010
B 2011
C 2012
D 2013
E 2014
F 2015
G 2016
H 2017
J 2018
K 2019

Code/Year

L 2020
M 2021
N 2022
P 2023
R 2024
S 2025
T 2026
V 2027
W 2028
X 2029

Code/Year

A 1980
B 1981
C 1982
D 1983
E 1984
F 1985
G 1986
H 1987
J 1988
K 1989
L 1990
M 1991
N 1992
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996
V 1997
W 1998
X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
3 2003
4 2004

Code/Year

5 2005
6 2006
7 2007
8 2008
9 2009
A 2010
B 2011
C 2012
D 2013
E 2014
F 2015
G 2016
H 2017
J 2018
K 2019
L 2020
M 2021
N 2022
P 2023
R 2024
S 2025
T 2026
V 2027
W 2028
X 2029

11th Character:

The eleventh character shows the vehicle’s assembly or manufacturing plant location in each city of a different country. The locations are represented with these characters:

11th Digit Code	Plant/Location
5	SIA, Lafayette, Indiana, USA
1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9	SIA, Lafayette, Indiana (varies by transmission/drivetrain)
H	Gunma, Japan (Main Subaru factory)
G, L	Gunma, Japan (specific configurations)

12th to 17th Characters

These characters represent the vehicle’s unique serial number. Each vehicle’s serial number is unique despite having the same year, make, model, and trim.

How to Use the Subaru VIN Decoder?

With the Subaru VIN decoder, you can decode any VIN from a Subaru vehicle. Follow these simple steps to use the decoder:

Click “Check Vehicle”

Submit the form to begin the VIN decoding process.

Click “Check Vehicle”

Use our tool to check vehicle specifications for free.

Get Vehicle Specifications

Instantly access the car’s make, model, body type, and other key details.

You can also do a Subaru full VIN check and purchase a complete vehicle history report to reveal damage records, mileage, outstanding finance, and other important details.

Where is the Subaru VIN Located?

Before you decode the Subaru VIN, you need to examine this location on the vehicle; you may also find the VIN on the vehicle’s documentation.

Check the following areas to get the VIN:

Registration Documents: The VIN is usually printed on your vehicle or insurance papers.
Dashboard: Look through the windshield at the lower-left corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side.
Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Check the label or plate on the inner edge of the driver’s door frame.
Engine Bay: The VIN might be imprinted on the engine block in the front by the serpentine belt.

Why You Should Check the VIN?

In early 2025, around 2 million used cars were sold. The growing used car market in the UK means more vehicles with altered mileage or salvage histories are likely to be encountered.

Decoding the VIN before you buy can help you know more about any used car before purchase.

Outstanding Finance

Be informed if there’s outstanding finance on the vehicle. Ensure the previous owner has settled it so you don’t have to resolve the outstanding finance issues.

MOT History Check

The past MOT results and repairs help you assess the car’s overall performance and determine its roadworthiness and reliability for the upcoming years after the purchase.

Avoid Buying a Stolen Vehicle

Buying a stolen car could lead to legal trouble in the future. Ensure you did not purchase a car that has ever been stolen to avoid getting into serious trouble, which you know nothing about.

Detects Potential Odometer Fraud

Odometer fraud is a common crime committed by dishonest sellers to make the car seem less used. Ensure you get the right car with a low to middle mileage, not the high one.

Identify a Write-off Car

Driving a written-off car could lead to an accident since it is no longer safe. To protect your investment, check if the insurance has ever marked the car as a write-off.

V5C Logbook Records

Check the DVLA logbook for when it was issued, its records, and the car's registration details. This will help you determine who owns the car, quickly identify possible problems, and spot any warning signs.

Check Auction Status

An auctioned car sometimes has suffered from extensive damage. Check if the car has been put on auction; pictures are included in the report to examine the car’s actual condition.

Ownership Records

If several people have owned the car in a short period, it might be a red flag. Check the number of owners the car has had to see how the vehicle was taken care of.

Free VIN Decoder vs. Paid VIN Decoder

Our Subaru VIN Decoder tool offers two options: a free and a paid VIN decoding service. The difference mainly lies in the information shown on the report. The free version shows limited information, while the paid version gives full details in a complete car check report.

Free VIN Decoding

The free Subaru VIN Decoder helps get the vehicle’s basic information. You can check important details such as the vehicle’s specs using the VIN. The free car checks report gets you only the vehicle’s basic information; you may use this to examine whether the product description matches the actual car’s specs.

Here’s what you’ll be getting with our free VIN decoder.

Year

Body style

Colour

Gears

Make

Trim level

Engine size

Fuel type

Model

Transmission

Engine cylinders

Displacement

Vehicle type

Vehicle class

Engine specs

Emission standard

Number of doors

Number of seats

Displacement

Emissions

Paid VIN Decoder

Our paid service gives detailed information about the vehicle’s history and condition. Get the full car report to get the complete information before buying the car. You may find detailed vehicle information, such as outstanding finance, auction history, written-off check, etc. Before buying any used vehicle, this information is important to avoid getting scammed.

High-risk records

Written-off check

Stolen records

Outstanding finance

Mileage history

Scrapped records

Auction history

Plate change history

MOT history

Ownership records

Logbook checks

Colour change history

Tax Status

Imported checks

Exported checks

Vehicle Registration

Subaru’s Key Innovations

Subaru has been making cars since the 1950s and is known for creating smart and unique technology. One of its main features is the BOXER engine, which was first used in 1966. Unlike normal engines, it has pistons that move sideways, giving better balance and a lower center of gravity.

This helps with handling, stability, and fuel use. Another key feature is the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, added in 1986. It sends power to all wheels, improving traction and control in tough weather or rough roads. These two systems make Subaru cars safe, strong, and popular with people who love outdoor adventures.

Other Smart Car Check Tools You Can Use

We offer more than just VIN decoding; we provide various specialized tools to make your car check process easier and ensure you obtain the exact details you require.

Registration Number Check

Retrieve vehicle details using the registration number.

MOT History Check

Access past MOT records to evaluate the car’s condition.

Insurance Write-Off Check

Identify vehicles previously classified as total losses.

Tax Check

Confirm tax status and compliance.

Stolen Car Check

Verify if the car is flagged as stolen in databases.

MPG Check

Determine the fuel efficiency and performance of the car.

Motorcycle VIN Check

Get specific data and history for motorcycles.

Car Value Check

Estimate the current market value of the vehicle.

Car Outstanding Finance Check

Verify if a car has an outstanding finance or loans.

Check Car VIN Number by Make

Get our Smart Car Check Mobile App

Are you looking for the best car history check UK? Make a smart decision with Smart Car Check App. Perform a Reg. number check in the UK to uncover any past problems and hidden history that the seller will not tell you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I look up vehicle specs by VIN number?

Using our VIN decoder service, you can get the vehicle specs report for free. To do so, fill out the form with the vehicle’s VIN.

How do I decode my Subaru VIN number?

Are JDM Subaru VINs different from U.S. ones?

To decode Subaru’s VIN, you must fill out the form with your email and phone number. Then, you can get the car check report to examine the vehicle’s specs and history.

Are JDM Subaru VINs different from U.S. ones?

Yes. JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) Subaru vehicles often have shorter VINs (usually 9–11 characters) and may not comply with the 17-character international VIN standard. U.S. and global market Subarus follow the full 17-digit structure that international regulations require.