Subaru

Brumby (BRAT/MV) inspection checklist

1978-1994 · 8 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highBody and chassis rust

Look for: Rust is the killer on survivors - sills, floors, wheel arches, tray, around the windscreen and on cars that lived coastal, on farms or sat outside. Many led hard rural lives. A rusty Brumby can cost more to fix than the car is worth.

If you find it: Thorough pre-purchase rust inspection (lift carpets, probe sills and tray). Favour dry-state, garaged examples; cavity-wax good ones to preserve them.

Any (age) · ~$500-5000+

mediumWorn CV joints and split driveshaft boots

Look for: CV joints are the main weak point of an otherwise durable driveline. Split or perished boots let in dirt and water and wreck the joint - listen for clicking on turns and inspect every boot.

If you find it: Replace boots early; reconditioned or new CV joints/axles if clicking. Standard, well-supported job.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-600 per side

mediumUnderbody damage from limited clearance

Look for: Owners regularly exceeded the Brumby's modest ground clearance, crushing exhaust pipes, denting the catalytic converter (later cars) and damaging rear driveshafts on flying rocks.

If you find it: Inspect exhaust, sump, diff and driveshafts underneath; avoid heavily lifted examples (lifts beyond ~50mm strain the driveline).

Off-road use · Varies

mediumWater contamination in gearbox / differential

Look for: Worn or damaged seals let water into the gearbox and diffs, especially on cars used off-road or through creeks - leading to milky oil and accelerated wear.

If you find it: Drain, inspect for emulsified oil, replace seals and refill with correct lubricant. Check oils on inspection.

Any (age) · ~$150-600

1.6L EA71 carburettor

mediumHead gasket / cylinder head oil and coolant weeps

Look for: The EA-series flat-fours are known for head gasket and head-to-block weeps with age and overheating - oil trickling between head and block, or coolant loss. Often worsened by a tired cooling system.

If you find it: Head gasket renewal (both sides) by a Subaru-literate mechanic; resurface heads, replace coolant, fan/water pump if tired. Not a hard job but skill-dependent.

From 150k+ km · ~$600-1500

mediumGeneral age-related wear (earliest cars)

Look for: These are the oldest Brumbys - expect perished hoses, tired bushes, weak carburettor tune, worn clutch and electrics.

If you find it: Budget a full consumables and tune refresh on purchase; thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Any (age) · Varies

1.8L EA81 carburettor

mediumHead gasket failure / coolant in cylinders

Look for: EA81 Brumbys are documented to blow head gaskets with age and overheating - white frothy residue in the oil filler, coolant loss, or coolant in cylinders. A clogged radiator or failed water pump that lets it overheat is the usual trigger.

If you find it: Replace head gaskets both sides, check/resurface heads, and renew the cooling system (radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses) to stop a repeat.

From 150k+ km · ~$700-1800

mediumOverheating (water pump / clogged radiator)

Look for: Tired water pumps and decades-old radiators cause overheating, which is the gateway to head-gasket failure on the EA81. A very common neglected-Brumby fault.

If you find it: Replace water pump, re-core or replace radiator, fresh coolant and thermostat. Address before it cooks the head gaskets.

Any (age) · ~$300-900

3 minor things (low severity)

lowTired suspension, bushes and steering

Look for: After 30+ years, struts, bushes, ball joints and steering components are usually worn, giving vague handling and clunks.

If you find it: Refresh suspension bushes, struts and steering components as a package; a good way to transform a tired survivor.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1000

lowOil leaks (cam seals, pushrod tubes, crank seals)

Look for: Old black cam/crank seals and pushrod O-ring tubes harden and seep oil with age - a Brumby that does not leak something is rare.

If you find it: Reseal as part of a refresh; replace cam, crank and pump seals and pushrod tube O-rings while access is open.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-700

lowOil leaks and rattly/smoky neglected engines

Look for: Hardened cam/crank seals and pushrod tube O-rings seep oil; engines run on old, thick, dark oil get rattly and smoky. Dark thick oil on the dipstick is a neglect red flag.

If you find it: Reseal the engine, switch to regular oil changes; a top-end refresh if smoky. Avoid examples with thick black oil unless priced for a rebuild.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-800

From FlamingCars' Subaru Brumby guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.