2019 Subaru Outback — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,599 MOT tests, the 2019 Subaru Outback recorded a 92.0% pass rate. Against large family cars of a similar age (11.5% fail rate), the 2019 Outback comes out 3.5pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.5%) and brakes (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 62 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.2% in the 0-30k band and 20.4% in the 90-120k band, a 14.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.4% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.3% | 59 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 59 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 45 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 30 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 62 |
| 2 | Wipers | 42 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 34 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 18 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.7% | 538 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.5% | 404 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 202 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.0% | 104 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 92 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 29 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,111 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,172 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 265 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 44 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 642 | 6.4% |
| 2023 | 642 | 7.0% |
| 2024 | 633 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 653 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Outback
On a 2019 Outback, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2019 Subaru Outbacks pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 2,599 2019 Subaru Outback MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Subaru Outback?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by brakes (2.3%).
Does the 2019 Outback get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 20.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,599 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.