2008 Subaru Outback — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,568 MOT tests, the 2008 Subaru Outback recorded a 73.3% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 26.0%, so the 2008 Outback sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.2% of all tests — 3.9 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 position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 139 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.1% in the 30-60k band and 31.4% in the 150k+ band, a 21.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (27.8% vs 26.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 270 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.3% | 208 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 146 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 115 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 100 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 77 |
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 | 139 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 134 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 95 |
| 4 | Joints | 95 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 79 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 73 |
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 | 43.9% | 689 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.7% | 497 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 356 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 247 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 182 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 170 |
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 | 69 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 287 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 484 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 389 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 331 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 977 | 26.0% |
| Diesel | 590 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 424 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 356 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 321 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 257 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 210 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Outback
On a 2008 Outback, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.3% 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 (9.3% 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 2008 Subaru Outbacks pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 1,568 2008 Subaru Outback MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Subaru Outback?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.3%).
Does the 2008 Outback get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,568 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.