A used Subaru BRAT is a fair buy when the bed, floors and rear suspension mounts are solid, the four-wheel drive engages and the title matches the car, because these small car-based pickups are now 35 to 45 years old and rust is the usual deal breaker. Subaru sold the BRAT in the U.S. from the late 1970s into the 1980s, as the Wikipedia BRAT page covers. On Nov. 5, 2026, NHTSA recall API queries for 1980, 1983 and 1986 BRAT years returned no campaigns. That is not proof of a clean car; run the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup and ask for records.
BRAT identity
Check the VIN, the 4WD hardware and the bed against the paperwork. The rear-facing bed seats sold on many cars are part of the story; ask whether they are still fitted or were removed. Our Subaru Leone guide covers the related car platform, and our Subaru recall check guide covers the VIN lookup.
Bed, cab and floor rust
Lift the bed mat and look at the bed floor, the cab corners, the rear arches and the floor pans. A thin repair under fresh paint is common. Tap low panels with a magnet.
Four-wheel drive and gearbox
Engage 4WD on a loose surface and listen for grinding. Ask about gearbox and differential oil, the clutch and any dual-range unit. Sloppy shifting is common on tired cars.
Records on a car this old
Most BRATs have thin service logs. Our classic car history guide covers what a report can and cannot show on a 1980s car.
A test drive that tells you something
Drive it from cold, not after the seller has warmed it up. Listen for ticks and knocks at start-up, watch the mirror for smoke, and check that every gauge works. Try every gear, a hard stop and a slow full-lock turn both ways, then look under the car for fresh drips. Bring a flashlight and a magnet for filler checks on the lower panels.
Insurance, registration and inspection
Call your insurer with the VIN before you pay. A collector or agreed-value policy may need mileage limits, secure storage or photos, while a standard policy may value the vehicle low after a loss. Ask your state DMV whether the vehicle needs a VIN inspection, a safety inspection or an emissions test at transfer, and what happens if a prior registration lapsed for years. Budget for new tires if the date codes are old, even when the tread looks fine.
When to walk away
- Rotten bed floor or cab corners.
- 4WD that will not engage.
- A title in another name with no seller ID.
- Rear suspension mounts with heavy rust.
Questions to ask the seller
- Are the bed seats original?
- When was the clutch done?
- Has the floor been patched?
- Has the title ever been branded?
Reading the history on a decades-old car
Do not expect a long service log. Records from the 1970s and 1980s were often never reported, so the report matters most for title brands, odometer readings at title transfers and registration gaps by state. A car that moved from a coastal or rust-belt state to a dry one may have been retitled; look at the dates and ask why. An approved NMVTIS check adds salvage and junk records from insurers and recyclers. If the odometer readings go backward or the car shows as exempt, ask for the paper trail before you price it. Our odometer discrepancy guide explains what those entries mean.
Private-sale paperwork
Most cars like this sell privately. Make sure the name on the title matches the seller ID, the VIN on the title matches the plate and the stamping on the car, and any old lien is released in writing. Our lien release guide walks through that step. Pay by a traceable method, get a dated bill of sale, and do not accept an open title signed by someone who is not present.
How to price it
Clean, original BRATs sell well above rough ones. Compare recent sales on Hagerty when comps exist, then subtract bed and floor rust, 4WD work and tires.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
On a car this old, read the report for title brands and odometer readings first; service entries are often thin.
Sources
- NHTSA recall lookup (API checked Nov. 5, 2026; 1980, 1983 and 1986 BRAT queries: no campaigns returned)
- Subaru BRAT, Wikipedia
- NMVTIS
- Hagerty (valuation tools)
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