Subaru Outback (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 746 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2498cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 9 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Subaru Outback

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2498cc9 years old746 tests62k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2498cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Subaru brand average of 83%.

91% of MOT tests on Subaru Outbacks from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 746 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 62,472 miles.

Got a Subaru Outback you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models164th of 540(top half)

Rank among Subaru models37th of 184(top 21%)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2017 models average+4%(87% avg)

vs Subaru average+8%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,472

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 Subaru Outback had 62,472 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Looking at a specific Subaru Outback?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2017 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Subaru Outback by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	94%	784	27,630 mi
2020	91%	407	34,925 mi
2019	93%	1,030	41,337 mi
2018	90%	1,085	52,588 mi
2017	91%	746	62,472 mi
2016	90%	1,254	75,847 mi
2015	85%	1,384	87,656 mi
2014	85%	393	101,391 mi
2013	81%	415	100,053 mi
2012	75%	433	112,842 mi
2011	81%	883	114,449 mi
2010	79%	834	123,818 mi
2009	77%	501	115,908 mi
2008	72%	350	120,270 mi
2007	72%	609	123,973 mi
2006	72%	729	130,846 mi
2005	70%	497	130,499 mi
2004	72%	435	134,291 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 5 Series

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

91%

same

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+2%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

+1%

Mercedes GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+2%

Check a Specific Subaru Outback

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2017 Subaru Outback

The 2017 Subaru Outback is a large car. Our records list a 2498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 746 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 62,472 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru Outback owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2017 Subaru Outback Fuel Costs

The 2498cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2017 Subaru Outback?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Subaru Outback Reliability Trend

Newer Subaru Outbacks pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 14 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2017 Subaru Outback

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2017 Subaru Outback stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Subaru Outback(2017)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 25-38	£2,413
BMW 5 Series(2018)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2018)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Mercedes GLC(2019)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2017 Subaru Outback

Is the 2017 Subaru Outback reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2017 Subaru Outbacks ended in a pass, from 746 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 Subaru Outback cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 Subaru Outback?

91% of 746 MOT tests on the 2017 Subaru Outback ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 164th of 540 models first registered in 2017 (top half).

Which year Subaru Outback has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Subaru Outback has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2005 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2017 Subaru Outback?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 Subaru Outback is 62,472 miles, which is above the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.