Free 1988 Subaru GL VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Subaru GL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Subaru GL VIN

A WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is a unique three-character code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, pinpointing the vehicle’s place of origin, manufacturer, and type of vehicle. For the 1988 Subaru GL, the WMI is “JF1” for passenger cars or “JF2” for Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, denoting its production by Subaru Corporation. These vehicles were manufactured in Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, during the years specified for their respective WMIs. The WMI not only tells us about the vehicle’s origins but also underscores the global system in place for identifying and classifying vehicles. For the 1988 Subaru GL, the WMI codes offer insights into its classification, origins, and the renowned manufacturer behind this model.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Subaru GL

WMI: JF1

• Model Years Covered: 1984-1988
• Example VIN: JF1AC43B3JC203356
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

WMI: JF2

• Model Years Covered: 1983-1988
• Example VIN: JF2AG53B5JE801300
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Subaru GL 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 1988 Subaru GL:

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 1988 Subaru GL 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 1988 Subaru GL VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Subaru GL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Subaru GL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Subaru GL

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Subaru GL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Subaru GL’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1988 Subaru GL VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It typically hints at the vehicle type, for instance, a Passenger Car, and can elaborate on the body class, like Sedan/Saloon. This may indicate a standard sedan design with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Engine details such as a displacement of 1.8 liters or 109.842739370 cubic inches, along with a 4-cylinder configuration, are commonly encoded within the VIN, possibly indicating the vehicle’s power and performance characteristics.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, like Gasoline, can be identified, providing insight into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact. This can give an idea of the vehicle’s running costs and environmental friendliness.
• Manufacturing Details: Information about the manufacturing location, including the plant city of Gunma and the country of Japan, can usually be derived from the VIN, possibly offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and quality.
• Transmission Style: The transmission style, such as an Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT), may be specified, offering clues about the vehicle’s driving experience and efficiency, potentially indicating the smoothness and fuel efficiency of the vehicle’s transmission system.
• Safety Features: The type of seat belt, for example, Manual, can be inferred, giving a glimpse into the standard safety features of the model, possibly indicating the level of safety equipment included in the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Subaru GL