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Subaru Outback reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 54,404 MOT tests of cars first registered 2004–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
73.6%pass first time
+5.0 ptsvs typical car
Beats 74%of cars
54,404MOT tests

Verdict

The Subaru Outback passes its MOT first time on 73.6% of tests, 5.0 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.6%). That puts it ahead of 74% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2017 Outback does best (beats 96% of cars) and the 2008 worst (beats 44%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Petrol does best (beats 75%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 73%).

Better than average on tyres, visibility, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Anti-roll bar links1.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%345678910111213141516171892%87%83%75%66%59%58%55%
Subaru OutbackTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2004
Beats 75%
2005
Beats 59%
2006
Beats 63%
2007
Beats 57%
2008
Beats 44%
2009
Beats 50%
2010
Beats 71%
2011
Beats 70%
2012
Beats 77%
2013
Beats 72%
2014
Beats 85%
2015
Beats 93%
2016
Beats 93%
2017
Beats 96%
2018
Beats 90%
2019
Beats 87%
2021
Beats 72%
2022
Beats 88%

Engines

All years, 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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2005–202226,72676.5%Beats 75%B
2.0 Diesel2008–201722,76273.1%Beats 73%B
3.0 Petrol2004–20064,91659.5%Beats 70%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 8.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 12.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 6.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 12.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.2 ptsTyres: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.9 ptsBrakes: 6.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.4 ptsSuspension: 8.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.5 ptsExhaust: 3.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.2 ptsSuspension: 8.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 6.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 12.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 12.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.2 ptsTyres: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.9 ptsBrakes: 6.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.4 ptsSuspension: 8.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.5 ptsExhaust: 3.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 3.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
12.0% vs 13.3%
Suspension
8.7% vs 10.2%
Brakes
6.5% vs 7.8%
Tyres
4.4% vs 7.2%
Body & structure
3.9% vs 3.8%
Visibility
3.7% vs 5.2%
Emissions & leaks
3.7% vs 3.5%
Steering
0.4% vs 2.1%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 1.2%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Anti-roll bar links 1.8× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k95%88%84%77%67%62%57%56%
Subaru OutbackTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights3.9%3.3%1.2×
Brake pads2.8%2.3%1.2×
Headlight aim2.7%3.7%0.7×
Tyre damage & cracking2.6%3.8%0.7×
Brake lights2.4%2.4%1.0×
Windscreen wipers2.0%2.3%0.8×
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9%1.5%1.2×
Number plate lights1.7%1.7%1.0×
Anti-roll bar links1.6%0.9%1.8×
Suspension arm bushes1.5%1.3%1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn50.9
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning33.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements27.2
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm26.4
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning23.4
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction20.0
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen19.5
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc19.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2022 Subaru Outback1 engine90.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol1,07790.9%Beats 88%A
2021 Subaru Outback1 engine88.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol1,72688.7%Beats 72%B
2019 Subaru Outback1 engine88.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,82988.7%Beats 87%A
2018 Subaru Outback1 engine88.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,87288.1%Beats 90%A
2017 Subaru Outback2 engines87.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,03388.8%Beats 97%A
2.0 Diesel1,14086.4%Beats 93%A
2016 Subaru Outback2 engines85.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,65984.3%Beats 92%A
2.5 Petrol2,22687.0%Beats 95%A
2015 Subaru Outback2 engines83.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,38382.0%Beats 89%A
2.5 Petrol2,51186.6%Beats 97%A
2014 Subaru Outback1 engine78.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,98478.7%Beats 85%A
2013 Subaru Outback1 engine73.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,66573.0%Beats 72%B
2012 Subaru Outback2 engines71.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,65368.4%Beats 68%B
2.5 Petrol1,01675.6%Beats 89%A
2011 Subaru Outback2 engines67.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,69265.5%Beats 65%B
2.5 Petrol1,51671.3%Beats 81%A
2010 Subaru Outback2 engines65.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,50762.8%Beats 65%B
2.5 Petrol1,47868.9%Beats 82%A
2009 Subaru Outback1 engine58.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,89158.1%Beats 50%C
2008 Subaru Outback1 engine54.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,18854.4%Beats 44%C
2007 Subaru Outback1 engine56.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,86356.7%Beats 57%C
2006 Subaru Outback2 engines57.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol2,85955.9%Beats 58%C
3.0 Petrol1,65860.4%Beats 71%B
2005 Subaru Outback2 engines55.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,74058.0%Beats 66%B
2.5 Petrol1,72052.0%Beats 50%C
2004 Subaru Outback1 engine60.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,51860.2%Beats 75%B

FAQ

What is the Subaru Outback MOT pass rate?

73.6% of MOT tests on the Subaru Outback were passed first time, based on 54,404 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2004–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.6% of the time.

Is the Subaru Outback reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 74% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Subaru Outback year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2017 Outback does best for its age and mileage: it beats 96% of cars on UK roads. The 2008 does worst: it beats 44%.

Which Subaru Outback engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Petrol does best: it beats 75% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 73%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Subaru Outback?

The most common failure items are sidelights, brake pads, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, anti-roll bar links comes up 1.8× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.