2012 Subaru Outback · 1,000 MOT tests
2012 Subaru Outback reliability
2012 Subaru Outbacks fail 32.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 12 Outback years (1,000 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Outbacks: 25.8%)
- 32.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Outbacks: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 102,679
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,000
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 19.4% of tests fail here (24% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Subaru Outback
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.4%
- Suspension10.2%
- Brakes9.2%
- Tyres4.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.6%
- Body, chassis and structure4.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 8.9%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 4.1%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Stop lamp not working 4.1%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.9%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
ESC warning lamp shows fault 1.9%
A lit stability control warning means the car's skid protection may not work, so it should be diagnosed promptly.
Rear fog lamp not working 1.9%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (17.2%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.3%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.4%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.2%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.4%) · Anti-roll bar pin/bush showing wear (6.5%)
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 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?
2012 Subaru Outbacks fail 32.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 12 Outback years (1,000 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Subaru Outback MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (8.9% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (4.1% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.1% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Subaru Outback have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Subaru Outback shows 102,679 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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