2009 Subaru Outback · 1,151 MOT tests
2009 Subaru Outback reliability
2009 Subaru Outbacks fail 39.2% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 12 Outback years (1,151 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Outbacks: 25.8%)
- 39.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Outbacks: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 110,475
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,151
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2009 against the years either side
- 2008 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does better)
- 2010 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 7.6% of tests fail here (18% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 44% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2009 car carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
Common problems
What fails on a 2009 Subaru Outback
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.1%
- Suspension15.4%
- Brakes10.4%
- Body, chassis and structure7.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
- Tyres4.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.95%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.87%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 4.52%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Stop lamp not working 4.17%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp levelling device inoperative 3.13%
A faulty levelling device means the headlamps may dazzle others or light the road poorly when the car is loaded.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.78%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (18.59%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.95%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.04%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.04%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (8.86%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.17%)
Other years
Every Subaru Outback year
The full picture: Subaru Outback reliability. Before you pay for any Subaru Outback, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2009 Subaru Outback reliable?
2009 Subaru Outbacks fail 39.2% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 12 Outback years (1,151 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2009 Subaru Outback MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.95% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.87% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn (4.52% of tests).
How many miles should a 2009 Subaru Outback have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2009 Subaru Outback shows 110,475 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2009 car?
A car first registered in 2009 carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
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