MOT failure data · 2025

Subaru Outback MOT problems

Across every Subaru Outback that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn, on 6.06% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 27.48%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Subaru Outback MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	6.06%
2	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	5.73%
3	Position lamp not working	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	5.5%
4	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	4.57%
5	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	4.14%
6	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	3.08%
7	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.98%
8	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.89%
9	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	2.72%
10	Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases	Body, chassis, structure	2.56%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Subaru Outback, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Subaru Outback buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Subaru Outback?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Subaru models

Subaru Outback MOT FAQs

What does a Subaru Outback most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Subaru Outback cars failing their 2025 MOT was "pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn", appearing on 6.06% of failure items.

Does this mean my Subaru Outback will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Subaru Outback that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Subaru Outback passed 79.16% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Subaru Outback's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.