- What you'll get from Subaru XT VIN check?
- Subaru XT Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Subaru XT VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Subaru XT
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru XT VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Subaru XT VIN.
- 10th Character in the Subaru XT VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Subaru XT VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Subaru XT Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru XT
- How to find a Subaru XT's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru XT
What you’ll get from Subaru XT VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle’s model year is possibly 1987, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN suggests that the vehicle could be a Coupe with 2 doors, possibly highlighting its body style and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The data provides information on an engine with 1800 CC (1.8 liters) displacement and 4 cylinders, which might offer insights into the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is potentially Gasoline, suggesting its energy source which can be crucial for understanding efficiency and environmental impact.
- Transmission Details: The VIN indicates the possibility of a vehicle equipped with a Manual/Standard transmission with 5 speeds, potentially detailing the driving mechanics and control system.
- Manufacturing Information: The car may have been built in Gunma, Japan, which could give insight into its origins and potentially the quality and engineering standards of the plant.
- Safety Features: There’s a chance that the VIN provides a glimpse into the safety features and standards of the vehicle at the time of manufacture by specifying Manual seat belts.
Subaru XT Vehicle History Risk Factors
Subaru’s reputation for reliability is strong among loyal owners, but the used Subaru market has several specific patterns that a vehicle history check will help surface.
Head gasket failures on 2.5L EJ25 non-turbo engine (1999–2011 Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza). This is the most well-known Subaru issue in the used car market. The non-turbo 2.5L EJ25 engine had a head gasket design that failed at elevated rates, typically between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, causing external coolant leaks and, if ignored, internal coolant-oil mixing. Repair costs are $1,500–$2,500. Service records showing head gasket replacement on older Subarus are a significant data point — it means the repair was done, which is better than not, but the engine’s overall condition should still be evaluated carefully.
CVT reliability on Crosstrek and Impreza (2017–present). Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT has generated more owner complaints in recent model years than the previous automatic transmissions. High-mileage examples warrant inspection of transmission fluid service history.
Oil consumption on 2013–2020 2.0L FB20 and 2.5L FB25 engines. Subaru’s second-generation flat-four engines had a documented oil consumption issue — some owners reporting 1 quart per 1,000 miles — that prompted a class action settlement and extended warranty coverage. A Bumper report won’t show oil consumption directly, but ownership and service records can indicate whether the issue was addressed under warranty.
WRX and STI engine modifications. Turbocharged Subarus — particularly WRX and STI models — are among the most frequently modified vehicles in the used market. Engine swaps, aftermarket turbo upgrades, and ECU tunes are common and void the factory powertrain warranty. VIN-confirmed factory spec verification is the first step in evaluating any used performance Subaru.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Subaru XT VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Subaru XT VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial set of three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle globally. The WMI reveals essential information, including the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, the WMI ‘JF1’ is assigned to Subaru Corporation, indicating the vehicle is a passenger car produced in Japan, specifically in Tokyo’s Shibuya-Ku area. This coding system is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes. The specific assignment of ‘JF1’ to Subaru vehicles provides a standardized method to quickly identify important vehicle attributes solely from the VIN.
List of WMI Codes for a Subaru XT
WMI: JF1
- Model Years Covered: 1987
- Example VIN: JF1AX43B0HB302947
- Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Shibuya-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Subaru XT VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Subaru’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes drivetrain type, engine variant, body style, and series configuration across the Outback, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, and Crosstrek lineups. Virtually all Subaru models share the same symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, so the VDS encoding focuses more heavily on distinguishing engine variants — particularly the 2.0L naturally aspirated four-cylinder, 2.5L naturally aspirated, 2.5L turbocharged (Legacy GT, Forester XT), and the EJ257 turbocharged flat-four used in the WRX and STI. The engine character in the VDS is critical for WRX and STI buyers especially, as VIN-confirmed engine verification protects against the common practice of installing aftermarket engines into base Impreza shells.
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 Subaru XT 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 Subaru XT VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 Subaru XT |
11th Character in the Subaru XT VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Subaru XT Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Gunma | Japan | JF1AX43B0HB302947 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Subaru XT
The final 6 characters in a Subaru XT’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Subaru XT’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Subaru XT is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Subaru XT. The VIN may be visible through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
- Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side for the Subaru XT, as the VIN can often be found on a sticker where the door latches when closed.
- Look under the hood of your Subaru XT; there may be a VIN plate attached to the engine block or on the firewall.
- Check the Subaru XT’s vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title, where the VIN is always listed.
- Take a peek at the rear compartment or under the spare tire; sometimes, a VIN sticker is placed in these areas in a Subaru XT.
Don’t have your Subaru XT’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Subaru XT
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 1800 |
| Displacement (CI) | 109.842739370 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.800000 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg) |
| Model | XT |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Plant City | Gunma |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Transmission Speeds | 5 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Trim | GL |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JF1AX43B*HB |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | JF1AX43B0HB302947 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Subaru XT for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Subaru XT?
On most Subaru vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Subaru XT's history for free?
Enter the Subaru XT’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Subaru XT VIN numbers start with?
Subaru XT VIN's start with JF1 for vehicles manufactured by Subaru Corporation in Japan. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Subaru XT.
Decode a Subaru VIN
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