Used car guide

2009 Subaru Justy: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Subaru Justys, from 218 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 218 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

218MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,600typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Subaru Justys than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Ball joint3.3× usual
    Subaru Justy
    21.6% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.4%, against 3.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.9× usual
    Subaru Justy
    21.6% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Subaru Justy
    14.2% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2009 Subaru Justy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008207Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Subaru Justys registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score