How to decode a 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies every vehicle manufacturer globally. For the 2008 Subaru Legacy, the WMI code is “4S3”, which is specific to Subaru of America, Inc., with manufacturing facilities located in Lafayette, Indiana, USA. This specific WMI indicates that the vehicle belongs to the passenger car category, pinpointing the origin and type of vehicle. Through the WMI, vehicles can be traced back to their manufacturers, offering insights into where and by whom they were produced. This system plays a crucial role in vehicle identification, ensuring a standardized approach to recognizing vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Subaru Legacy
WMI: 4S3
- Model Years Covered: 1991-2024
- Example VIN: 4S3BL626087200822
- Manufacturer Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Lafayette
- State or Province: Indiana
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2008 Subaru Legacy:
| Known VDS for a 2008 Subaru Legacy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BL626 | BL696 | BL676 | BL616 | BL856 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 8 | 2008 |
11th Character in the 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2008 Subaru Legacy Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lafayette | Indiana | United States | Sia | 4S3BL696183200986 |
| 4 | Lafayette | Indiana | United States | Sia | 4S3BL676084200023 |
| 6 | Lafayette | Indiana | United States | Sia | 4S3BL676086225220 |
| 7 | Lafayette | Indiana | United States | Sia | 4S3BL626087200822 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Subaru Legacy
The final 6 characters in a 2008 Subaru Legacy’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2008 Subaru Legacy’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Subaru Legacy is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Subaru Legacy, near where the windshield meets the dash. The VIN can be viewed from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side. When you open the door, you can typically find the VIN on a sticker where the door latches.
- Under the hood, check near the front of the engine block for the Subaru Legacy. This VIN location may be stamped directly on the engine itself.
- Inspect the frame near the windshield washer container once you open the hood; sometimes the VIN is placed in this location in Subaru vehicles.
- Review your vehicle registration documents or insurance cards, as they should list the VIN number for your 2008 Subaru Legacy.
What info can a 2008 Subaru Legacy VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decodes the Subaru Legacy as an all-wheel drive, 4-door sedan/saloon with a 2.5L engine capacity, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s basic attributes.
- Safety Features: The presence of front and side airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row indicates a focus on safety within the vehicle’s design.
- Plant Information: The Subaru Legacy was assembled in Lafayette, Indiana, United States, by the SIA company, highlighting the geographic origin of the car’s manufacture which could influence parts availability or collector interest.
- Transmission and Performance: The VIN encodes a 4-speed automatic transmission, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance characteristics and drivability.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System: The direct type TPMS included in the vehicle’s specification suggests a more advanced feature set aimed at enhancing safety and maintenance convenience.
- Trim Level: The specific mention of the “2.5i Limited” trim level can give an indication of the vehicle’s luxury, technology, and performance features beyond the base model.
Don’t have your 2008 Subaru Legacy’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Subaru Legacy
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152.55936023683 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | Legacy |
| Model Year | 2008 |
| Plant City | Lafayette |
| Plant Company Name | SIA |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Indiana |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Trim | 2.5GT-B |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4S3BL696*83 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4S3BL696183200986 |
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