2012 Subaru Outback — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,571 MOT tests, the 2012 Subaru Outback recorded a 79.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (21.6% 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 15.3% of tests against 8.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and brake pads — position lamp alone was recorded 177 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.5% in the 30-60k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 16.5-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 17.3% fail against 23.5% for diesel, a 6.2-point gap across 1,571 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 241 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.1% | 127 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 116 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.3% | 68 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 66 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 177 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 72 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 64 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 53 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 52 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 49 |
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 | 34.0% | 534 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 390 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 381 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.6% | 214 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 195 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 99 |
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 | 104 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 443 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 566 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 354 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 100 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 930 | 23.5% |
| Petrol | 641 | 17.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 324 | 18.2% |
| 2022 | 322 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 308 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 314 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 303 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Outback
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.1% 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 (7.4% 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 2012 Subaru Outbacks pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 1,571 2012 Subaru Outback MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Subaru Outback?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.1%).
Does the 2012 Outback get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,571 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.