Used car guide

2015 Subaru Outback: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Subaru Outbacks, from 751 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

751MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
9,400typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Subaru Outbacks than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Subaru Outback
    10.9% All 2015 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints15.7× usual
    Subaru Outback
    4.7% All 2015 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Subaru Outback
    7.7% All 2015 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.9% of all 2015 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.

By area

The share of 2015 Subaru Outback MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    27% 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
    23% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022601Tyres 22%
2021612Tyres 20%
2019592Tyres 25%
2018651Tyres 21%
2016756Brakes 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Subaru Outbacks registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score