2007 Subaru Outback — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Subaru Outback passed 72.9% of its 2,631 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (26.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.2%) 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 headlamp aim, pins and bushes and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 197 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.3% in the 30-60k band and 29.5% in the 150k+ band, a 13.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 48.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 400 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 339 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 242 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 207 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 204 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 101 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 197 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 163 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 147 |
| 4 | Joints | 142 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 137 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 130 |
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% | 1,276 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 796 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 596 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 479 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 387 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 343 |
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 | 80 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 439 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 757 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 756 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 590 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 619 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 604 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 539 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 460 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 409 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Outback
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Outbacks pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 2,631 2007 Subaru Outback MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Subaru Outback?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2007 Outback get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 30-60k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,631 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.