2007 Subaru Justy — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Subaru Justy passed 73.0% of its 308 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 15.3% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and wipers — ball joint alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.6% in the 30-60k band and 29.5% in the 90-120k band, a 9.0-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.3% | 47 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 36 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 28 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 22 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 18 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 16 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 23 |
| 3 | Wipers | 18 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 17 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 13 |
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 | 34.7% | 107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.8% | 101 |
| 3 | Other defects | 22.1% | 68 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.8% | 64 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 57 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 42 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 68 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 125 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 88 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 63 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 60 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 64 | 34.4% |
| 2025 | 49 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Justy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 15.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (15.3% 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 (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.1% 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
How many 2007 Subaru Justys pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 308 2007 Subaru Justy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Subaru Justy?
Suspension, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.7%).
Does the 2007 Justy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 29.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 308 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.