Subaru Sumo (1991)
1991 Subaru Sumo
CarHunch analysed 424 real MOT records for the 1991 Subaru Sumo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Subaru Sumo fails its MOT on first attempt 82% of the time, compared to the UK average of 80%—though this cohort's 17.7% pass rate suggests these are well-worn examples facing serious wear. The dangerous defect rate of 2.1% is reassuringly low, so structural or safety risks aren't the main problem here.
At just under 65,000 miles median, these vehicles are surprisingly lightly driven for their age, yet they're still racking up an average of 0.43 failures and 1.2 advisories each—pointing to neglected maintenance or corrosion rather than high-mileage fatigue. If you're considering one, budget for catching up on deferred repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on rust and fluid leaks.
What to check before buying a 1991 Subaru Sumo
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 Sumo
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Subaru Sumo 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 1991 Subaru Sumo vehicles fall between 36,713 and 81,992 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Subaru Sumo
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
33.9%
Oil leak
-
18.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
17.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
16.1%
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases
-
15.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
14.5%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
-
14%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
-
12.9%
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Subaru Sumo?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.