Most Reliable Subaru Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 58,314 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Subaru models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
58,314 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Subaru model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Subaru WRX
90.6% pass rate
Best Single Year
IMPREZA 2004 Petrol
73.4% pass rate
Subaru vs National Average
73.2% vs 71.5%
+1.7% above average
Proven Durability Champion
IMPREZA 2000
+18.0% at 13+ years
Subaru has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 58,314 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Subaru models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Subaru model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Subaru Compares to Rivals
Subaru ranks #36 out of 75 manufacturers with a 73.2% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Subaru | 73.2% | #36 | 58,314 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Subaru sits at #36. However, newer Subaru models significantly outperform this average.
Best Subaru Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Subaru's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX | 90.6% | +19.0% | 1,387 | 2011-2017 |
| BRZ | 87.9% | +16.4% | 638 | 2013-2017 |
| XV | 82.4% | +10.9% | 5,789 | 2012-2020 |
| OUTBACK | 75.0% | +3.5% | 7,029 | 2004-2020 |
| IMPREZA | 72.8% | +1.3% | 16,885 | 2000-2019 |
| FORESTER | 70.0% | -1.5% | 15,593 | 2000-2020 |
| LEGACY | 62.3% | -9.2% | 4,956 | 2000-2013 |
Top performer
The WRX dramatically outperforms other Subarus with an 90.6% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Subaru Models Age Best?
These Subaru models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMPREZA | 2000 | Petrol | +18.0% | 13+ years | 75.3% |
| IMPREZA | 2004 | Petrol | +16.1% | 13+ years | 73.4% |
| IMPREZA | 2005 | Petrol | +15.0% | 13+ years | 72.3% |
| IMPREZA | 2003 | Petrol | +14.4% | 13+ years | 71.7% |
| IMPREZA | 2009 | Petrol | +13.9% | 13+ years | 71.2% |
| IMPREZA | 2008 | Petrol | +13.8% | 13+ years | 71.2% |
| IMPREZA | 2002 | Petrol | +13.8% | 13+ years | 71.1% |
| IMPREZA | 2007 | Petrol | +13.7% | 13+ years | 71.0% |
| IMPREZA | 2001 | Petrol | +12.8% | 13+ years | 70.1% |
| IMPREZA | 2006 | Petrol | +12.2% | 13+ years | 69.5% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The IMPREZA 2000 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 18 percentage points, with 919 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Subaru IMPREZA: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The IMPREZA has 16,885 tests in our database with an overall 72.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Petrol | 82.9% | -3.4% | 210 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 89.2% | +5.0% | 214 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 91.6% | +9.9% | 131 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 88.3% | +9.7% | 206 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 85.7% | +10.2% | 237 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 78.7% | +7.0% | 136 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 76.4% | +13.4% | 165 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 74.8% | +14.3% | 762 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 71.2% | +12.2% | 767 |
| 2008 | Petrol | 71.2% | +13.8% | 1,144 |
| 2007 | Petrol | 71.0% | +14.0% | 1,970 |
| 2006 | Petrol | 69.5% | +13.4% | 1,809 |
IMPREZA verdict:
Subaru FORESTER: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The FORESTER has 15,593 tests in our database with an overall 70.0% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 93.4% | +5.7% | 167 |
| 2019 | Hybrid Electric | 94.8% | +8.6% | 498 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 88.2% | +1.9% | 599 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 89.5% | +5.3% | 153 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 86.8% | +2.6% | 790 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 86.3% | +4.6% | 599 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 83.6% | +1.9% | 323 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 81.2% | +2.5% | 627 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 76.0% | -2.7% | 578 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 76.5% | +1.0% | 561 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 73.3% | -2.2% | 449 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 77.7% | +6.0% | 551 |
| ... | ||||
| 2010 | Diesel | 58.3% | -2.2% | 642 |
| 2009 | Diesel | 59.3% | +0.3% | 290 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 55.7% | -3.3% | 203 |
FORESTER verdict: The 2020 hybrid electric model achieves an excellent 93.4% pass rate. Avoid the 2010 diesel (58.3%).
Avoid early FORESTER models
The 2010 diesel FORESTER has a 58.3% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Subaru Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Subaru's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 94.9% | +23.4% | 882 |
| Petrol | 73.1% | +1.5% | 43,385 |
| Diesel | 71.0% | -0.5% | 9,127 |
The hybrid advantage: Subaru hybrids pass MOTs 22% more often than petrols and 24% more often than diesels.
Subaru Models to Avoid
Not all Subarus are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORESTER | 2016 | Diesel | 76.0% (-4.4% vs same-age) | 578 |
| FORESTER | 2010 | Diesel | 58.3% (-5.5% vs same-age) | 642 |
| FORESTER | 2014 | Diesel | 70.2% (-4.6% vs same-age) | 614 |
| FORESTER | 2011 | Diesel | 63.1% (-3.5% vs same-age) | 582 |
| FORESTER | 2015 | Petrol | 76.5% (-0.8% vs same-age) | 561 |
| FORESTER | 2006 | Petrol | 57.9% (-1.9% vs same-age) | 991 |
| FORESTER | 2019 | Petrol | 88.2% | 599 |
| LEGACY | 2004 | Petrol | 58.4% (-1.5% vs same-age) | 502 |
| FORESTER | 2016 | Petrol | 81.2% (+0.6% vs same-age) | 627 |
| FORESTER | 2018 | Petrol | 86.8% | 790 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2006-2019 petrol/diesel FORESTERs are the models that drag down Subaru's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Subarus?
When Subarus fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6,297 |
| 2. Suspension | 5,381 |
| 3. Noise, emissions and leaks | 3,260 |
| 4. Brakes | 3,231 |
| 5. Body, chassis, structure | 2,305 |
| 6. Visibility | 2,041 |
| 7. Tyres | 2,027 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Subaru owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check exhaust system for leaks and emissions
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- XV 2019 Petrol: 92% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- IMPREZA 2000-2009: +14% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Subaru Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 58,314 tests on Subaru vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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