Subaru: MOT pass rate and reliability

Subaru vehicles pass the MOT first time 78.6% of the time, measured across 59,050 DVSA tests. That is 1.6 points better than the 77% national average, ranking Subaru 23 of 50 major brands sold in the UK.

Bidding on a damaged Subaru at Copart? Run the lot through the salvage profit analyzer for the repair cost, fees, VAT and your maximum bid. Buying a used Subaru, damaged or not? Run its registration through the free vehicle history check first: these are brand averages, that page checks the exact car.

Every brand ranked

1. Ferrari - 95.9%
2. LEVC - 95.4%
3. Aston Martin - 93.2%
4. Bentley - 92.5%
5. Porsche - 88.7%
6. Lexus - 87.7%
7. Tesla - 84.8%
8. Maserati - 84.3%
9. MG - 83.9%
10. BMW - 82.5%
11. Jaguar - 81.9%
12. Abarth - 81.8%
13. Audi - 81.6%
14. MINI - 81.6%
15. Toyota - 81.3%
16. Land Rover - 80.6%
17. Skoda - 80.6%
18. Mercedes-Benz - 79.9%
19. Suzuki - 79.5%
20. Kia - 78.9%
21. Hyundai - 78.8%
22. SEAT - 78.7%
23. Subaru - 78.6%
24. Honda - 78.3%
25. Dacia - 78.3%
26. Volvo - 78.2%
27. Jeep - 78%
28. Smart - 77.6%
29. Volkswagen - 77.1%
30. Mazda - 77%
31. Mitsubishi - 76.9%
32. DS - 76.2%
33. London Taxis International - 75.5%
34. Ford - 74.8%
35. Isuzu - 73.7%
36. Nissan - 73.4%
37. Peugeot - 73.2%
38. Fiat - 73%
39. Ssangyong - 73%
40. Vauxhall - 72.4%
41. Alfa Romeo - 72.4%
42. Citroen - 70.8%
43. Iveco - 70.2%
44. Rover - 70.2%
45. Saab - 69.1%
46. Renault - 68.1%
47. Chrysler - 67.2%
48. Daihatsu - 67.1%
49. Chrysler-Jeep - 67%
50. Chevrolet - 62.8%

Subaru models

• Subaru Impreza - 78%, 17,976 tests
• Subaru Forester - 73.5%, 14,434 tests
• Subaru Outback - 79.2%, 7,237 tests
• Subaru Xv - 83.6%, 5,853 tests
• Subaru Legacy - 68.8%, 5,181 tests
• Subaru Wrx - 90.8%, 1,690 tests
• Subaru Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr Awd Cvt - 93.8%, 1,215 tests
• Subaru Brz - 88.9%, 882 tests
• Subaru Levorg - 88.4%, 790 tests
• Subaru Xv I Se Prem E Boxer Awd Cvt - 96.7%, 663 tests
• Subaru Justy - 67.4%, 653 tests

Most common MOT failures across every Subaru

Pooled across all Subaru models, not just one: what actually fails on a Subaru more than the UK average.

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.6% of tests (4.55x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.4% of tests (3.62x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.7% of tests (3.43x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 1.5% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.6% of tests (1.51x the national rate for this defect)
7. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.9% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2.9% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.1% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 1.9% of tests

From 59,549 DVSA-tracked Subaru tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.39% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories across every Subaru

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. Pooled across all Subaru models, this is a different list from the failures above.

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.8% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3% of tests (2.39x the national rate for this advisory)
3. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 29.1% of tests (2.18x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
4. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 9.8% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this advisory)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.8% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
6. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.1% of tests (1.65x the national rate for this advisory)
7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 7.8% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this advisory)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 20.2% of tests
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 13% of tests, also fails
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 11.1% of tests

From 59,549 DVSA-tracked Subaru tests, 2024.

More on brand reliability

• Britain's most and least reliable car brands: MOT pass rate by manufacturer
• Which car brands beat their age on the MOT test? 33 million tests, ranked
• The cheapest, most reliable makes to buy at salvage auction

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