Subaru Outback (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 784 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2498cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol2498cc5 years old784 tests28k 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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Subaru brand average of 83%.

94% of MOT tests on Subaru Outbacks from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 784 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 27,630 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1171st of 3,336(top half)

Rank among Subaru models15th of 184(top 9%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+2%(92% avg)

vs Subaru average+11%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

27,630

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Subaru Outback had 27,630 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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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

Volvo XC40

2020 · 2000cc Petrol

£2,086/year

93%

-1%

BMW 5 Series

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

-2%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

-2%

Ford Ranger

2021 · 2400cc Petrol

£2,413/year

90%

-4%

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About the 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback is a large car. Our records list a 2498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 784 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 27,630 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru Outback owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2021 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 2021 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 94% 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 2021 Subaru Outback

At 5 years old, the Subaru Outback offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

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.

Oil Consumption

Low risk

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

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 2021 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(2021)	94%	£1,958	£200	Grp 25-38	£2,413
Volvo XC40(2020)	93%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086-£327
BMW 5 Series(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Ford Ranger(2021)	90%	£1,958	£200	Grp 25-38	£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 2021 Subaru Outback

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 Subaru Outbacks ended in a pass, from 784 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 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 2021 Subaru Outback?

94% of 784 MOT tests on the 2021 Subaru Outback ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1171st of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (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 2021 Subaru Outback?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Subaru Outback is 27,630 miles, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.