Subaru Estate MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 113 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 44.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Subaru Estate MOT Reliability Overview
The Subaru Estate is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 113 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 55.8% and a failure rate of 44.2%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Subaru Estate earns a "Below Average" reliability rating. The average Subaru Estate presents for MOT with approximately 113,402 miles on the clock. The 1995 manufacture year performs best with a 33.3% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Subaru Estate is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 46.9% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions at 28.3%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 23.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* 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
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 74.3% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.3% | 41 |
| 3 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 33.6% | 38 |
| 4 | Tyres | 27.4% | 31 |
| 5 | Brakes | 23.0% | 26 |
| 6 | Steering | 15.0% | 17 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 13.3% | 15 |
| 8 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 9.7% | 11 |
| 9 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 8.0% | 9 |
| 10 | Registration Plates And Vin | 5.3% | 6 |
| 11 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 5.3% | 6 |
| 12 | Non-component Advisories | 5.3% | 6 |
| 13 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.5% | 4 |
| 14 | Road Wheels | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 113,402 miFor 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 6.55 | 74.3% | 84 |
| Suspension | 3.20 | 36.3% | 41 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 2.97 | 33.6% | 38 |
| Tyres | 2.42 | 27.4% | 31 |
| Brakes | 2.03 | 23.0% | 26 |
| Steering | 1.33 | 15.0% | 17 |
| Visibility | 1.17 | 13.3% | 15 |
| Body & Structure | 1.17 | 13.2% | 15 |
| Seat Belts | 0.70 | 8.0% | 9 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.47 | 5.3% | 6 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.47 | 5.3% | 6 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.47 | 5.3% | 6 |
| Wheels | 0.08 | 0.9% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Subaru Estate has 113,402 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.
The Subaru Estate has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.90% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Subaru Estate MOT Data
The Subaru Estate is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 113 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 55.8% and a failure rate of 44.2%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Subaru Estate owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and exhaust, fuel and emissions 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 Estate is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 46.9% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 46.9% of MOT failures on the Subaru Estate. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 28.3% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 28.3% of MOT failures on the Subaru Estate. 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.
Suspension — 23.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 23.0% of MOT failures on the Subaru Estate. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Estate?
Based on 113 MOT tests in our database, the Subaru Estate has an overall pass rate of 55.8% (44.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru Estate?
The top 3 reasons a Subaru Estate fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (46.9%), 2. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (28.3%), 3. Suspension (23.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Subaru Estate reliable?
With a 44.2% MOT failure rate, the Estate is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Subaru Estate?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (46.9%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (28.3%); Suspension (23.0%). 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.