Subaru Outback Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Outback car check
Is the Subaru Outback reliable? We analysed 130,193 real MOT tests across 11,131 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Outback? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Outback is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Outback.
Subaru Outback Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Outback. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Outback MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Outback to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Outback Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Outback fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Outback Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Subaru Outback models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Subaru Outback Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Outback owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Outback MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Outback year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,106 | 90.0% | 23,098 | 32,509 | 44,005 |
| 2020 | 942 | 89.7% | 22,302 | 32,542 | 47,620 |
| 2019 | 2,924 | 89.8% | 23,086 | 34,610 | 50,337 |
| 2018 | 3,889 | 89.8% | 26,728 | 40,721 | 58,021 |
| 2017 | 3,474 | 89.3% | 31,942 | 47,323 | 66,758 |
| 2016 | 6,384 | 87.6% | 37,485 | 55,502 | 79,366 |
| 2015 | 7,600 | 86.1% | 41,856 | 62,766 | 88,244 |
| 2014 | 2,671 | 83.2% | 48,967 | 73,173 | 100,614 |
| 2013 | 3,311 | 81.4% | 48,254 | 72,110 | 100,068 |
| 2012 | 3,921 | 79.8% | 53,721 | 79,431 | 105,989 |
| 2011 | 8,884 | 79.0% | 54,284 | 83,082 | 112,570 |
| 2010 | 9,857 | 78.5% | 57,546 | 88,122 | 118,019 |
| 2009 | 9,303 | 75.9% | 55,734 | 82,707 | 111,144 |
| 2008 | 9,151 | 73.6% | 58,187 | 85,901 | 113,905 |
| 2007 | 11,597 | 74.4% | 57,485 | 87,157 | 119,084 |
| 2006 | 15,224 | 74.3% | 58,109 | 89,072 | 121,479 |
| 2005 | 14,941 | 73.0% | 61,197 | 91,765 | 123,542 |
| 2004 | 12,169 | 74.2% | 61,418 | 92,302 | 124,204 |
| 2003 | 1,727 | 73.3% | 62,102 | 93,142 | 123,848 |
| 2002 | 157 | 67.5% | 66,883 | 91,044 | 118,895 |
How Long Does a Subaru Outback Last?
Based on 11,131 Subaru Outback vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Outback Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Outback 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 Outback
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.0% MOT pass rate from 1,106 tests
67.5% MOT pass rate from 157 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Outback is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.0% across 1,106 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Outback Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback THIS CAR | 78.2% | 130,193 | 78,217 mi | 23 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 |
| Alfa Romeo Brera | 74.3% | 52,180 | 67,143 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Outback outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Outback 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 OutbackShould you buy a used Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.2% across 130,193 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Subaru Outback are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,791 recorded failures), anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (1,553), and registration plate lamp not working (1,444). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Subaru Outback with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Subaru Outback owner drives around 7,615 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 Outback models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.