2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca passed 73.6% of its 352 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests against 13.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, position lamp and coil spring — pins and bushes alone was recorded 30 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.9% versus 20.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 60 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 47 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.0% | 28 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 20 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 18 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 30 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 28 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 15 |
| 5 | Washers | 13 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.8% | 112 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.3% | 75 |
| 3 | Other defects | 17.6% | 62 |
| 4 | Brakes | 17.1% | 60 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 55 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 48 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 34 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 109 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 124 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 89 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 68 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 64 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 44 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 B9 Tribeca
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Subaru B9 Tribecas pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 352 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2006 B9 Tribeca get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 26.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 352 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.