Used car guide · 2003–2026

Subaru Outback common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Subaru Outback, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 22,488 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2003 Subaru Outback

Too few Subaru Outback cars first registered in 2003 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Subaru Outback as a whole.

26on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2003 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Subaru Outback?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Subaru Outback in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Subaru Outback MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 17.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2018.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Diesel

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 19.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Sidelights

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Subaru Outback MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Subaru Outback did best (84% passed first time, 7 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2006 did worst (56%, 0 points above all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202292%89% +3612
202189%87% +21,192
202089%87% +2740
201988%85% +31,746
201888%83% +51,931
201786%80% +61,386
201684%77% +72,242
201579%74% +52,297
201476%70% +6654
201370%67% +3787
201265%64% +1884
201165%62% +31,465
201062%60% +21,329
200961%59% +2915
200858%57% +1634
200759%57% +21,096
200656%56% +01,190
200557%57% +0798
200456%57% -1590

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Subaru Outback

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

  1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 27× as often on the Subaru Outback as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Subaru Outback as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Subaru Outback as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score