Subaru Outback (2006)
2006 Subaru Outback
CarHunch analysed 864 real MOT records for the 2006 Subaru Outback. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 Subaru Outback's 75.8% first-time pass rate sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, signalling below-average reliability for its age—but the real concern is that 35.3% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects, well above what you'd typically see, meaning structural or safety issues are commonplace in this cohort. With an average of 4.49 failures per MOT test and a worrying 31.4 advisories, this isn't a car that scrapes through; it arrives at the test centre with accumulated problems.
The median mileage of 89,295 is reasonable for a 2006 model, so high wear isn't the excuse here—these Outbacks are simply deteriorating faster than expected. Before buying one, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection by a Subaru-specialist mechanic, paying special attention to suspension, brakes, and steering components, since those dominate the advisory list on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2006 Subaru Outback
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 35.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Subaru Outback
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 847 | 75.8% | 4.5 |
| LPG (1%) | 8 | 69% | 5.75 |
| Diesel (1%) | 5 | 81.8% | 3 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 88.9% | 0.67 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 81.8% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Subaru Outback vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 Subaru Outback vehicles fall between 70,126 and 107,444 miles.
2006 Subaru Outback — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 291 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (37% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2006 Subaru Outback
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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57.1%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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56.1%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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54.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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48.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.9%
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint
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46.5%
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Subaru Outback?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.