Subaru Justy (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 38 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,383

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1295cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,383/year to run. 14 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Subaru Justy

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1295cc29 years old38 tests57k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1295cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,383

Per month£199/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Subaru brand average of 83%.

68% of MOT tests on Subaru Justys from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 38 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 57,375 miles.

Got a Subaru Justy you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models266th of 306(bottom 14%)

Rank among Subaru models180th of 184(bottom 3%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-7%(75% avg)

vs Subaru average-15%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

57,375

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Subaru Justy had 57,375 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Subaru Justy?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2008 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 74%. The 1997 scores 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Subaru Justy by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	71%	94	70,395 mi
2009	74%	428	72,378 mi
2008	78%	424	73,986 mi
2007	63%	83	79,264 mi
1998	90%	41	48,084 mi
1997	68%	38	57,375 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+5%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+3%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+21%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+2%

Check a Specific Subaru Justy

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1997 Subaru Justy

The 1997 Subaru Justy is a small family car. Our records list a 1295cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 38 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 14% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 57,375 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru Justy owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 Subaru Justy Fuel Costs

The 1295cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Subaru Justy?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,383 (£199/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1997 Subaru Justy

At 29 years old, the Subaru Justy is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2008 model has the highest pass rate at 78%. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 Subaru Justy stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Subaru Justy(1997)	68%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£55
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£178
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£573
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Subaru Justy

Is the 1997 Subaru Justy reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 1997 Subaru Justys ended in a pass, from 38 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Subaru Justy cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,383 a year (£199 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Subaru Justy?

68% of 38 MOT tests on the 1997 Subaru Justy ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 266th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 14%).

Which year Subaru Justy has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2008 Subaru Justy has the highest MOT pass rate at 78% and the 2009 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Subaru Justy?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Subaru Justy is 57,375 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.