2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 Subaru Outback MOT pass rate and common faults

469 MOT tests in 2024. 66.3% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time66.3%
Failed or needed repairs33.7%
Typical mileage at test115,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 469 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working9.6%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
    18 marked dangerous
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.2%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  6. Headlamp levelling device: inoperative2.3%
  7. Stop lamp: not working2.3%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.9%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
    14 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics25.4%
  2. Suspension10.7%
  3. Brakes10.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks9.6%
  5. Tyres5.3%
  6. Body & chassis5.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.2%
  8. Steering0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn20.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.1%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.8%

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2011 Subaru Outback?

In 2024, 66.3% of 2011 Subaru Outback cars passed their MOT first time, across 469 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Subaru Outback?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Subaru Outback reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).