Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Subaru 1.8 Gl (1987)

153 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.8% first-time pass rate

1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl

CarHunch analysed 153 real MOT records for the 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 79.2% below UK average

0.8%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

55,809

typical mileage

52,293–55,809 middle half

0.7%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.04

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Subaru 1.8 Gl

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

52,293

low mileage

55,809

typical

55,809

high mileage

Half of all 1987 Subaru 1.8 Gl vehicles fall between 52,293 and 55,809 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.04

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Subaru 1.8 Gl?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Subaru 1.8 Gl:

1985 1986 1988