Subaru 1800 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru 1800 car check
Is the Subaru 1800 reliable? We analysed 446 real MOT tests across 115 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru 1800? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru 1800 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 constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru 1800.
Subaru 1800 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru 1800. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru 1800 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru 1800 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru 1800 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru 1800 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru 1800 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru 1800 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru 1800 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru 1800 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 57 | 66.7% | 82,105 | 109,743 | 165,962 |
| 1991 | 51 | 66.7% | 80,063 | 94,356 | 108,684 |
| 1989 | 72 | 62.5% | 78,298 | 98,516 | 142,200 |
How Long Does a Subaru 1800 Last?
Based on 115 Subaru 1800 vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru 1800 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru 1800 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 1800
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
66.7% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
62.5% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru 1800 is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 66.7% across 51 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru 1800 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru 1800 THIS CAR | 66.6% | 446 | 84,347 mi | 37 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 |
| Audi SQ8 Vorsprung TDI MHEV QUAT A | 92.3% | 826 | 39,558 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru 1800 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru 1800 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 1800Should you buy a used Subaru 1800?
The Subaru 1800 has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.6% across 446 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru 1800 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (75 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (46), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (29). 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 1800 owner drives around 1,544 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 1800 models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.