Subaru Justy MOT pass rate & common failures
4,225 MOT tests on the Subaru Justy (1986–2013) give it a 76.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), the Justy comes out 2.2pp better. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 12.8% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, catalyst emissions and component mounting prescribed areas — ball joint alone was recorded 307 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 32.4% in the 120-150k band, a 18.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Justy model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43 | 74.4% | 25.6% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1993 | 35 | 68.6% | 31.4% | Suspension |
| 1994 | 30 | 70.0% | 30.0% | Visibility |
| 1995 | 31 | 74.2% | 25.8% | Suspension |
| 1996 | 59 | 62.7% | 37.3% | Suspension |
| 1997 | 83 | 71.1% | 28.9% | Emissions & environmental |
| 1998 | 76 | 80.3% | 19.7% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1999 | 33 | 69.7% | 30.3% | Emissions & environmental |
| 2000 | 63 | 61.9% | 38.1% | Suspension |
| 2001 | 43 | 76.7% | 23.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 308 | 73.0% | 27.0% | Suspension |
| 2008 | 1,526 | 77.2% | 22.8% | Suspension |
| 2009 | 1,489 | 78.3% | 21.7% | Suspension |
| 2010 | 312 | 77.6% | 22.4% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.8% | 541 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 394 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 305 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 255 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 223 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 216 |
| 7 | Tyres | 4.1% | 173 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.9% | 80 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 307 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 212 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 199 |
| 4 | Wipers | 198 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 172 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 130 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 126 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 119 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.4% | 1,454 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 1,281 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.7% | 1,044 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 723 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.2% | 599 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 407 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 355 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,377 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,495 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 825 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 148 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 956 | 20.1% |
| 2022 | 919 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 818 | 21.0% |
| 2024 | 821 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 711 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a Subaru Justy
- Suspension (12.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Justy?
76.6% of the 4,225 Subaru Justy MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 23.4% fail rate, across model years 1986–2013.
What does the Subaru Justy most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 12.8% of tests, then lighting & signalling (9.3%).
How much does mileage affect Justy MOT results?
Fail rates run at 13.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 32.4% for 120-150k, a 18.6-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,225 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.