2018 Subaru Outback · 2,281 MOT tests
2018 Subaru Outback reliability
2018 Subaru Outbacks fail 10.9% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 12 Outback years (2,281 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Outbacks: 25.8%)
- 10.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Outbacks: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 4
- 41,994
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 4
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,281
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does worse)
- 2019 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- Strong point: tyres, 45% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 Subaru Outback
Fail rate by area
- Brakes2.9%
- Tyres2.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%
- Lights and electrics2.3%
- Suspension1.5%
- Number plates and VIN0.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.84%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.62%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.36%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.53%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Registration plate lamp not working 0.44%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.44%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Brake pads wearing thin (9.95%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.86%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.75%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (3.51%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (3.29%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.93%)
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 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?
2018 Subaru Outbacks fail 10.9% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 12 Outback years (2,281 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 Subaru Outback MOT?
Most often brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.84% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.62% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.36% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 Subaru Outback have done?
At its MOT aged about 4, a typical 2018 Subaru Outback shows 41,994 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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