2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Subaru Outback MOT pass rate and common faults

205 MOT tests in 2024. 55.6% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time55.6%
Failed or needed repairs44.4%
Typical mileage at test119,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 205 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.9%
  2. Position lamp: not working5.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.9%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.9%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.9%
    11 marked dangerous
  6. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn4.9%
  7. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  8. Headlamp levelling device: inoperative4.4%
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.4%
  10. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics33.2%
  2. Suspension29.8%
  3. Brakes22.4%
  4. Body & chassis15.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks13.7%
  6. Tyres7.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  8. Steering2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn19.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.6%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick14.6%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.7%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Subaru Outback?

In 2024, 55.6% of 2008 Subaru Outback cars passed their MOT first time, across 205 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Subaru Outback?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Subaru Outback reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).