2015 · 9 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2015 Subaru Outback MOT pass rate and common faults

769 MOT tests in 2024. 78.4% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time78.4%
Failed or needed repairs21.6%
Typical mileage at test85,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 769 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
    29 marked dangerous
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  4. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
    19 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  8. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded0.8%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension9.6%
  2. Brakes6.0%
  3. Tyres5.1%
  4. Lights & electrics5.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.5%
  6. Body & chassis1.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks0.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick14.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.9%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened4.2%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2015 Subaru Outback?

In 2024, 78.4% of 2015 Subaru Outback cars passed their MOT first time, across 769 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 Subaru Outback?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2015 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).