2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 442 MOT tests, the 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca recorded a 74.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.8%, so the 2007 B9 Tribeca sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.5%) and suspension (12.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, stop lamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 B9 Tribeca fails 27.5% of the time in the 60-90k band and 28.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 17.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 64 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 57 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 40 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.6% | 29 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 25 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.0% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 33 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 31 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 22 |
| 5 | Wipers | 22 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 21 |
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 | 45.0% | 199 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.9% | 132 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 105 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 81 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.3% | 72 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.9% | 57 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 131 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 129 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 106 | 26.4% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 119 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 104 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 88 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 80 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 51 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 B9 Tribeca
On a 2007 B9 Tribeca, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 (9.0% 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 2007 Subaru B9 Tribecas pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 442 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2007 B9 Tribeca get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.5% in the 60-90k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 442 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.