Used car guide

2004 Subaru Outback: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Subaru Outbacks, from 162 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 162 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

162MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Subaru Outbacks than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Subaru Outback
    21% All 2004 cars
    9.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2004 Subaru Outback MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022601Tyres 22%
2021612Tyres 20%
2020259Tyres 22%
2019592Tyres 25%
2018651Tyres 21%
2017473Tyres 23%
2016756Brakes 24%
2015751Suspension 27%
2014210Suspension 36%
2013252Suspension 43%
2012292Suspension 52%
2011438Suspension 47%
2010388Suspension 53%
2009268Suspension 55%
2008171Suspension 53%
2007317Suspension 56%
2006326Suspension 59%
2005216Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Subaru Outbacks registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score