2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Subaru Outback MOT pass rate and common faults

643 MOT tests in 2024. 86.5% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time86.5%
Failed or needed repairs13.5%
Typical mileage at test50,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 643 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
    26 marked dangerous
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
    10 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.6%
  6. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.5%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.5%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.5%
  9. Headlamp cleaning device: for LED or HID headlamp inoperative0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes4.8%
  2. Tyres3.7%
  3. Lights & electrics3.1%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  5. Suspension2.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.5%
  7. Steering0.5%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.8%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.6%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.4%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. 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 2018 Subaru Outback?

In 2024, 86.5% of 2018 Subaru Outback cars passed their MOT first time, across 643 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Subaru Outback?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).