Subaru Outback Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Subaru Outback fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 12,769 MOT tests across 18 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: large car | Fuel: Petrol, Diesel
83%
Subaru Outback pass rate
83%
Subaru average
82%
All-model average
The Subaru Outback has an average MOT pass rate of 83%, which is equal to the Subaru average and 1 point above the average across all models in our data. 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.
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What the Subaru Outback Fails Its MOT On
Of the 1,749 MOT tests on the Subaru Outback that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
41%Cars and vans the same age: 40% · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
37%Cars and vans the same age: 34% · Typical repair £150-£600
Brakes
23%Cars and vans the same age: 23% · Typical repair £80-£450
Tyres
17%Cars and vans the same age: 22% (the Outback fails on this less often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Exhaust, emissions and leaks
16%Cars and vans the same age: 12% (the Outback fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£800
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Position lamp: not working (14% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (10% of failed tests, brakes)
- Stop lamp: not working (7.9% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Subaru Outback Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each Outback year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points less often than other cars of the same age.
Passed more often than cars their age
- 2016: 90% passed, against 86% for all 2016 cars (4 points higher, 1,254 tests)
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Subaru Outback Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Petrol | 2.5L | 94% | 6% | - |
| 2020 | Petrol | 2.5L | 91% | 9% | - |
| 2019 | Petrol | 3.0L | 93% | 7% | 91% (+2) |
| 2018 | Petrol | 2.5L | 90% | 9% | 89% (+1) |
| 2017 | Petrol | 2.5L | 91% | 8% | - |
| 2016 | Petrol | 2.5L | 90% | 10% | 86% (+4) |
| 2015 | Petrol | 2.5L | 85% | 14% | 84% (+1) |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.0L | 85% | 13% | - |
| 2013 | Petrol | 2.5L | 81% | 19% | - |
| 2012 | Petrol | 2.5L | 75% | 24% | - |
| 2011 | Diesel | 2.0L | 81% | 18% | - |
| 2010 | Petrol | 3.0L | 79% | 21% | - |
| 2009 | Petrol | 3.0L | 77% | 22% | - |
| 2008 | Petrol | 3.0L | 72% | 28% | - |
| 2007 | Petrol | 3.0L | 72% | 28% | - |
| 2006 | Petrol | 3.0L | 72% | 27% | - |
| 2005 | Petrol | 3.0L | 70% | 28% | - |
| 2004 | Petrol | 2.5L | 72% | 27% | - |
Subaru Outback Running Costs
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Subaru Outback FAQ
What are the most common Subaru Outback problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Subaru Outback that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (41% of the 1,749 failed tests), suspension (37%) and brakes (23%). The single most common fault was "Position lamp: not working" (14%). Across 12,769 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 83% ended in a pass.
Is the Subaru Outback reliable?
The Subaru Outback has an average MOT pass rate of 83%, from 12,769 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed within 2 points of other cars of the same age, so about average for its age.
Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?
No Subaru Outback year with 1,000+ tests passed 3 or more points less often than all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). The years that passed most often for their age were the 2016 (90% of 1,254 tests passed, against 86% for all 2016 cars). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Outback faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Subaru Outback typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Subaru Models
Common problems pages for other Subaru models