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Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) (2004-2008) reliability

Not enough data

Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) built around 2007: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) models built around 2007 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2004-2008EstatePETROL

Based on 1,549 tests of Outback models registered 2004-2008.

Mk3 (BP) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5832.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
28830.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
49732.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
33331.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
25930.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
11430.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

How the Outback Mk3 (BP) compares

At each age below, see how the Outback Mk3 (BP) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 4,156 tests across 4 Subaru models, built around 2007 (18 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSubaru average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5832.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
28830.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
49732.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
33331.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
25930.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
11430.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other estates to compare

Other estates, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Outback Mk3 (BP).

  1. 1

    Volvo V70

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.7%
    Dangerous
    8.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.7%

    Lower fail rate: 30.7%, against 32.8% for the Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP), both built around 2007.

    3,160 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  2. 2

    Volvo V50

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.9%
    Dangerous
    10.7%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) on these figures.

    3,173 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  3. 3

    Volvo XC70

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.6%
    Dangerous
    8.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.7%

    Lower fail rate: 30.4%, against 32.8% for the Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP), both built around 2007.

    1,435 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

92%of all Subaru Outback cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

15 recalls in all

4 of the 15 Outback Mk3 (BP) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Front passenger airbag inflator may fail
  • Electronic parking brake capacitor on inner circuit board and magnet ring of the sensor may fracture
  • Mis connection of the fuel pump connector

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Outback Mk3 (BP) cars have aged

How Outback Mk3 (BP) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1315171921Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (315 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (264 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (237 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (184 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (111 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (406 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (368 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (339 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (286 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (242 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (380 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (351 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (312 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (256 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (198 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (325 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (282 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (221 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (193 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 26.5% (147 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (213 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (201 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (151 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (124 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (114 tests, 2025 data)2004
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
Mk3 (BP) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Subaru Outbacks of this age

This list covers every Subaru Outback built around 2007, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (BP) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    45.7%
    Advisory: 398Fail: 76 (16% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    20.9%
    Advisory: 137Fail: 11 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.5%
    Advisory: 145Fail: 9 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    19.7%
    Advisory: 100Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    17.1%
    Advisory: 66Fail: 28 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 497 tests

Looking at a Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the Subaru Outback Mk3 (BP) (2004-2008) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 497 18-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,549 MOT tests on Subaru Outbacks first registered between 2004-2008. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.