2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Subaru Outback MOT pass rate and common faults

388 MOT tests in 2024. 57.5% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time57.5%
Failed or needed repairs42.5%
Typical mileage at test127,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 388 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.7%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.9%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.4%
  4. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn4.4%
  5. Stop lamp: not working4.1%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.9%
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.1%
  9. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.1%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    12 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension28.1%
  2. Lights & electrics27.6%
  3. Emissions & leaks21.9%
  4. Brakes16.8%
  5. Body & chassis10.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.2%
  7. Tyres4.1%
  8. Number plates & VIN1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn23.5%
  2. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened15.5%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.2%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.8%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2006 Subaru Outback?

In 2024, 57.5% of 2006 Subaru Outback cars passed their MOT first time, across 388 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Subaru Outback?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 Subaru Outback reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).