Used car guide

2008 Subaru Outback diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Subaru Outback first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 205 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 205 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

205MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Subaru Outback diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Subaru Outback diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Subaru Outback
    26.8% All 2008 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2008 Subaru Outback diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Subaru Outback diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    39% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Rust and bodywork
    10% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Subaru Outback diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 Subaru Outback diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Subaru Outback?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Subaru Outback compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022612Tyres 22%
20211,192Tyres 21%
2020740Tyres 22%
20191,746Tyres 25%
20181,931Tyres 22%
20171,386Tyres 22%
20162,242Tyres 23%
20152,297Tyres 24%
2014654Suspension 31%
2013787Suspension 40%
2012884Suspension 44%
20111,465Suspension 44%
20101,329Suspension 47%
2009915Suspension 53%
20071,096Suspension 56%
20061,190Suspension 56%
2005798Suspension 57%
2004590Suspension 57%
2003–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Subaru Outback cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score