Verdict
Subaru cars pass their MOT first time on 71.9% of tests, against 63.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 84% of cars on UK roads and ranks Subaru 4th of 40 makes, well ahead of Ford, Nissan and Vauxhall.
Every Subaru model does better than a typical car. The Impreza (1994–2016) does best, beating 94% of cars, ahead of the XV (75%), Outback (74%) and Forester (71%).
The Legacy (2000–2011) and Forester are the ones to check most carefully, though they still beat 70% and 71% of cars.
Emissions and leaks are the one area where Subarus fail more often than a typical car, about 1.3 times as often (about 1 in 15 tests). Steering fails only about a third as often as typical, tyres a little over half as often and brakes about 40% less often.
Where it fails
Every Subaru compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Subaru models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza 1994–2016 | 71.7% | Beats 94% | A |
| Forester 1998–2021 | 69.2% | Beats 71% | B |
| Outback 2004–2022 | 73.6% | Beats 74% | B |
| XV 2012–2021 | 82.2% | Beats 75% | B |
| Legacy 2000–2011 | 61.5% | Beats 70% | B |
FAQ
What is the Subaru MOT pass rate?
71.9% of Subaru MOT tests were passed first time, from 472,018 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 63.2%, so Subarus do clearly better than typical.
Is Subaru reliable?
On MOT results it is well above average: Subaru beats 84% of cars on UK roads and ranks 4th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Subaru model is most reliable?
The Impreza, which beats more than nine in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. The XV beats about three in four.
Which Subaru should I check most carefully?
The Legacy and Forester do least well, but both still beat about seven in ten cars.
What are the most common MOT failures on Subarus?
Lights and electrics (about 1 in 8 tests), suspension (about 1 in 10) and emissions and leaks (about 1 in 15). Emissions and leaks are the only area that fails more often than on a typical car of the same age and mileage.