Subaru 1.8L Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru 1.8L car check
Is the Subaru 1.8L reliable? We analysed 663 real MOT tests across 159 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru 1.8L? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru 1.8L is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru 1.8L.
Subaru 1.8L Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru 1.8L. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru 1.8L MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru 1.8L to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru 1.8L Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru 1.8L fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru 1.8L Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru 1.8L owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru 1.8L MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru 1.8L year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 191 | 61.8% | 86,010 | 108,519 | 134,022 |
| 1991 | 99 | 66.7% | 63,624 | 124,080 | 159,564 |
| 1990 | 51 | 64.7% | 90,444 | 154,567 | 207,690 |
| 1989 | 70 | 65.7% | 75,614 | 89,740 | 135,342 |
| 1988 | 86 | 77.9% | 54,844 | 136,040 | 172,923 |
| 1986 | 56 | 67.9% | 58,928 | 91,960 | 286,427 |
How Long Does a Subaru 1.8L Last?
Based on 159 Subaru 1.8L vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru 1.8L Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru 1.8L MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru 1.8L
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.9% MOT pass rate from 86 tests
61.8% MOT pass rate from 191 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru 1.8L is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.9% across 86 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru 1.8L Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru 1.8L THIS CAR | 67.3% | 663 | 109,771 mi | 40 yrs |
| Subaru Impreza | 75.7% | 915,729 | 83,083 mi | 33 yrs |
| Subaru Forester | 76.1% | 456,470 | 85,220 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Legacy | 72.5% | 349,986 | 96,000 mi | 35 yrs |
| Seat Leon TDI S | 73% | 1,016 | 149,626 mi | 25 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru 1.8L trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru 1.8L you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Subaru 1.8LShould you buy a used Subaru 1.8L?
The Subaru 1.8L has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.3% across 663 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru 1.8L are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (140 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (71), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (46). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Subaru 1.8L owner drives around 2,474 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Subaru 1.8L models stay on UK roads for around 40 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.