Subaru Outback MOT Failures
An analysis of 65,938 real DVSA MOT tests on the Subaru Outback — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: BP (1998–2003), BL (2003–2009), BR (2009–2014), BS (2014–2019).
Where the Subaru Outback fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Subaru Outback is headlight fault — this model is 12 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 65,938 MOT tests, 5.92% of all Subaru Outback tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (11x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (11x the fleet average), coil springs broken (41x the fleet average), and emissions failure (18x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Subaru Outback's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Subaru Outback before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Subaru Outback's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Subaru Outback specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (12x the average) and abs fault (7.4x). anti-roll bar links worn (6.8x) and brake hoses perished or damaged (6.0x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Subaru Outback specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission joint, belt or chain worn (20x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (9.5x). abs fault (8.3x) and headlight fault (7.9x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Subaru Outback specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (41x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (11x). anti-roll bar links worn (11x) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (11x) also appear frequently.
The shift from headlight fault at lower mileages to coil springs broken at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Subaru Outback specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion (BL/BR/BS) Dangerous
The rear subframe and suspension mounting points are prone to corrosion on Outback models from 2003 onwards. Affects BL, BR, BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Suspension component wear and corrosion (All generations) Major
Outback models show consistently high rates of suspension component wear across all generations. Affects BP, BL, BR, BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
CVT transmission failure (BR/BS) Major
The Lineartronic CVT transmission used in fourth and fifth generation Outbacks has documented reliability issues in the US market with over 200 NHTSA complaints mentioning transmission problems. Affects BR, BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £3,000–£4,500.
Emissions system failure (BR/BS 2.5 Petrol) Major
Failures occur at These failures typically manifest after 80,000 miles and are often caused by catalytic converter degradation, faulty oxygen sensors, or carbon buildup in the intake system.. Affects BR, BS; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Subaru Outback common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Subaru Outback
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Subaru Outback:
Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Suspension — check for abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn, coil springs broken, suspension component damaged or corroded.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion and suspension component wear and corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Subaru Outback?
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Subaru Outback MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru Outback?
Based on 65,938 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is headlight fault — at 12x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and anti-roll bar links worn.
Is the Subaru Outback reliable based on MOT data?
The Subaru Outback has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe and suspension mounting point corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Subaru Outback most commonly fails on coil springs broken and suspension component damaged or corroded. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are headlight fault and abs fault.
How do I check a Subaru Outback's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.