Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd (1987)
1987 Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd
CarHunch analysed 292 real MOT records for the 1987 Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1987 Subaru 700 Highroof 2WD has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 40%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals genuine reliability concerns for a vehicle of this age. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so safety-critical failures aren't the problem—instead, you're looking at wear-and-tear issues that accumulate over decades.
With a median mileage of 74,203 miles, these vehicles have been used but not excessively for their age, yet they still rack up an average of 0.1 advisories per test, suggesting corrosion, gasket leaks, and trim deterioration are typical. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on rust, seals, and fuel system integrity, because passing MOT with one of these cars requires more active maintenance than the raw numbers suggest.
What to check before buying a 1987 Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd
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 700 Highroof 2wd
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd 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.
Half of all 1987 Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd vehicles fall between 57,869 and 74,203 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Subaru 700 Highroof 2wd?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.