2006 Subaru Outback — MOT failures & pass rate
2,954 MOT tests on the 2006 Subaru Outback are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 27.4%, so the 2006 Outback sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.0% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — pins and bushes alone was recorded 201 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 48.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 503 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 413 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 253 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.3% | 245 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 242 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 146 |
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 | 201 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 198 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 191 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 174 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 167 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 143 |
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 | 48.5% | 1,434 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.4% | 897 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.1% | 652 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 542 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 531 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 321 |
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 | 129 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 385 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 802 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 936 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 693 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 736 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 687 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 611 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 499 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 421 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Outback
On a 2006 Outback, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Outbacks pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 2,954 2006 Subaru Outback MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Subaru Outback?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2006 Outback get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,954 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.