Used car guide

2005 Subaru Outback: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Subaru Outbacks, from 216 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 216 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

216MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
6,500typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Subaru Outbacks than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints4.6× usual
    Subaru Outback
    19.4% All 2005 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Subaru Outback
    25% All 2005 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.3% of all 2005 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.

  • Sub-frame2.3× usual
    Subaru Outback
    15.7% All 2005 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Subaru Outback
    16.7% All 2005 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 2005 Subaru Outback MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% 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.

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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%
2004162Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Subaru Outbacks registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score