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Pass Your MOT

Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl MOT Pass Rate

Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 32 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 56.3%.

43.8%
Pass Rate
56.3%
Fail Rate
32
Total Tests
Suspension
Top Failure

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl MOT Reliability Overview

The Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 32 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 43.8% and a failure rate of 56.3%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.

Based on this data, the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl presents for MOT with approximately 91,063 miles on the clock.

The most common MOT failure for the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl is Suspension, affecting 78.1% of all tests. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. The second most common issue is Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems at 34.4%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 21.9%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.

⚠ Based on limited data (32 tests)

Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.

What Fails Most

⚖️ Compare

* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).

What Fails on This Car?

Click a category to see specific failure items.

View as table
MOT failure categories ranked by failure rate
RankFailure CategoryRate (%)Count
1Suspension140.6%45
2Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems43.8%14
3Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions34.4%11
4Brakes25.0%8
5Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment18.8%6
6Tyres12.5%4
7Body, Structure And General Items9.4%3
8Driver's View Of The Road9.4%3
9Steering6.3%2

Failures per 10,000 Miles

avg. 91,063 mi

For every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.

Suspension15.44% per 10K miSeat Belts4.80% per 10K miEmissions & Exhaust3.77% per 10K miBrakes2.75% per 10K miLamps & Electrical2.06% per 10K miTyres1.37% per 10K miBody & Structure1.03% per 10K miVisibility1.03% per 10K miSteering0.69% per 10K mi
View as table
Mileage-normalised failure rates by category
CategoryRate / 10K miRaw %Count
Suspension15.44140.6%45
Seat Belts4.8043.8%14
Emissions & Exhaust3.7734.4%11
Brakes2.7525.0%8
Lamps & Electrical2.0618.8%6
Tyres1.3712.5%4
Body & Structure1.039.4%3
Visibility1.039.4%3
Steering0.696.3%2

🚗 Similar Cars to Consider

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Mileage at MOT

91,063
Mean
68,958
Median
61,008
25th Percentile
105,068
75th Percentile

The average Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl has 91,063 miles when tested for MOT.

📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate

How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.

6.18%
Fail Rate per 10K Miles
Average across all makes: 5.38%
56.3%
Overall Fail Rate
91,063 avg miles
⚠️ Average — typical failure rate

The Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 6.18% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.

About Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl MOT Data

The Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 32 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 43.8% and a failure rate of 56.3%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.

For Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on suspension and seat belts and supplementary restraint systems for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 1.8 4wd Dl is likely to perform.

Suspension — 78.1% of failures

Suspension issues account for 78.1% of MOT failures on the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.

Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems — 34.4% of failures

Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems issues account for 34.4% of MOT failures on the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.

Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 21.9% of failures

Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 21.9% of MOT failures on the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl?

Based on 32 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl has an overall pass rate of 43.8% (56.3% fail rate).

What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl?

The top 3 reasons a Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl fails its MOT are: 1. Suspension (78.1%), 2. Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (34.4%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (21.9%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.

Is the Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl reliable?

With a 56.3% MOT failure rate, the 1.8 4wd Dl is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.

What should I check before an MOT on my Subaru 1.8 4wd Dl?

Based on failure data, focus on: Suspension (78.1%); Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (34.4%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (21.9%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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