Used car guide

2013 Subaru Outback: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Subaru Outbacks, from 252 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 252 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

252MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Subaru Outbacks than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.8× usual
    Subaru Outback
    24.2% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Sidelights3.5× usual
    Subaru Outback
    13.9% All 2013 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 3.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2013 Subaru Outback MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    30% 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
    27% 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
    23% 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.

  • Steering
    7% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Subaru Outback?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022601Tyres 22%
2021612Tyres 20%
2020259Tyres 22%
2019592Tyres 25%
2018651Tyres 21%
2017473Tyres 23%
2016756Brakes 24%
2015751Suspension 27%
2014210Suspension 36%
2012292Suspension 52%
2011438Suspension 47%
2010388Suspension 53%
2009268Suspension 55%
2008171Suspension 53%
2007317Suspension 56%
2006326Suspension 59%
2005216Suspension 55%
2004162Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Subaru Outbacks registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score