Subaru Outback
From 11,967 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Outbacks fare better: 2021 models pass at 93.2% vs 67.3% for 2006.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 594 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 594 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 243 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 239 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 197 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 191 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 157 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 148 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 132 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 129 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 117 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 48.2% of Outback failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 11.5% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £107.
Subaru Outback on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 607 newly registered in the past year with 490 leaving, a net gain of 117. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 9,097 | 972 | +146 | -114 | +32 |
| 2025 Q2 | 9,055 | 982 | +85 | -118 | -33 |
| 2025 Q1 | 9,114 | 956 | +265 | -132 | +133 |
| 2024 Q4 | 9,022 | 915 | +111 | -126 | -15 |
| 2024 Q3 | 9,035 | 917 | +226 | -100 | +126 |
| 2024 Q2 | 8,937 | 889 | +139 | -70 | +69 |
| 2024 Q1 | 8,869 | 888 | +279 | -147 | +132 |
| 2023 Q4 | 8,778 | 847 | +159 | -115 | +44 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outback Se Prem Sym Awd Cvt | Petrol | 2,373 | 29% |
| Outback Touring Sym Awd Cvt | Petrol | 1,073 | 13% |
| Outback Se Prem D Sym Awd Cvt | Diesel | 777 | 9% |
| Outback Field Sym Awd Cvt | Petrol | 507 | 6% |
| Outback Touring Awd Cvt | Petrol | 427 | 5% |
| Outback Se Auto | Gas | 394 | 5% |
| Outback Se Nav Symawd Cvt | Petrol | 256 | 3% |
| Outback Se Boxer D Symawd | Diesel | 252 | 3% |
| Outback Se Prem D Sym Awd | Diesel | 246 | 3% |
| Outback Se Nav+ Box D Sym Awd | Diesel | 240 | 3% |
| Outback Field Awd Cvt | Petrol | 234 | 3% |
| Outback Rn Auto | Petrol | 224 | 3% |
| Outback Sx Boxer D Sym Awd Cvt | Diesel | 211 | 3% |
| Outback Limited Sym Awd Cvt | Petrol | 180 | 2% |
| Outback Se Sym-Al Awd Cvt | Petrol | 157 | 2% |
| Outback R Auto | Petrol | 156 | 2% |
| Outback Se | Gas | 135 | 2% |
| Outback | Petrol | 126 | 2% |
| Outback Se Symmetrical Awd Cvt | Petrol | 120 | 1% |
| Outback Se Boxer D Sym Awd Cvt | Diesel | 106 | 1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2020 | 89.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2019 | 90.7% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2018 | 88.8% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a tyre seriously damaged |
14 earlier years
| 2017 | 89.3% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2016 | 87.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2015 | 83.1% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2014 | 80.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a wheel bearing excessively rough |
| 2013 | 73.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2012 | 69.6% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2011 | 76.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2010 | 72.8% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2009 | 69.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2008 | 64.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2007 | 69.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2006 | 67.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2005 | 69.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2004 | 68.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all Outbacks tested had between 32,932 and 68,409 miles on the clock.
At 43,669 median miles, the Outback has 0.045 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Subaru models
| Subaru Impreza | 80.4% |
| Subaru Forester | 75.4% |
| Subaru Xv | 83.9% |
| Subaru Legacy | 71.2% |
| Subaru Wrx | 91.1% |
Common questions
What is the Subaru Outback MOT pass rate?
The Subaru Outback has a 80.5% MOT pass rate based on 11,967 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Subaru Outback?
The most common MOT failure on the Subaru Outback is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 594 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
How many Subaru Outbacks are on UK roads?
There are 9,097 Subaru Outbacks currently licensed on UK roads, with 972 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Subaru Outback at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Subaru Outback is 43,669 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 32,932 and 68,409 miles.
Buying a used Outback?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 80.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £107 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.