What year Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1986 Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl has the highest pass rate at 100.0%, out of 967 vehicles tested.

What are the most common Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl MOT failures?

The most common Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl — Reliability by Year

5,331 vehicles · MOT data 1984–1989 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

1986

100.0% pass rate · 967 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1988

43.2% pass rate · 1,153 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1989	68.2%	90,799 mi	976
1988	43.2%	107,662 mi	1,153
1987	91.0%	62,546 mi	1,054
1986	100.0%	115,552 mi	967
1985	—	—	971
1984	—	—	210

Which year Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.

Tests range from an average of 62,546 miles (newest year) to 115,552 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a Subaru 1 8 4WD Gl.

See the buying guide →

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Check any UK registration — free MOT history and risk insights.