Car statistics
How many Subaru Outbacks are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 7,750 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 9,169 Subaru Outbacks licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,014 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 2003.
Numbers are still rising: the latest count is the highest in this series.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 866 |
| 2005 | 1,734 |
| 2006 | 2,592 |
| 2007 | 3,117 |
| 2008 | 3,833 |
| 2009 | 4,661 |
| 2010 | 5,407 |
| 2011 | 5,973 |
| 2012 | 6,188 |
| 2013 | 6,404 |
| 2014 | 6,416 |
| 2015 | 7,073 |
| 2016 | 7,611 |
| 2017 | 7,734 |
| 2018 | 8,009 |
| 2019 | 8,179 |
| 2020 | 8,083 |
| 2021 | 8,317 |
| 2022 | 8,464 |
| 2023 | 8,775 |
| 2024 | 9,019 |
| 2025 | 9,156 |
| 2026 | 9,169 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 75.7% of Subaru Outback MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Subaru Outbacks tested pass 73.7% of the time, so the Subaru Outback does better than average for its age, by 2.0 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 75.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Subaru Outback | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 92.2% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 87.2% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 87.1% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 80.9% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 65.5% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 58.3% | 58.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Subaru Outback fails its MOT, appearing on 40.6% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 5.8% of Subaru Outback tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 40.6% |
| Suspension | 36.1% |
| Brakes | 23.7% |
| Tyres | 17.0% |
| Visibility | 14.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.6% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Subaru Outback failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 13.7% of 1,880 failed tests. 51.2% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.7% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 10.7% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.9% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.2% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 6.6% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 6.4% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 6.3% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 5.7% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 16.3% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 12.1% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 9.1% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 7.2% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 6.8% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 4.5% |
| Anti-roll bars: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 4.3% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 4.2% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.1% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 3.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
6 years of the Subaru Outback, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2018 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (87.7% passed first time) and the 2021 cars worst (87.4%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 801 | 740 | 77.0% |
| 2016 | 775 | 740 | 81.2% |
| 2018 | 652 | 646 | 87.7% |
| 2019 | 574 | 574 | 86.7% |
| 2021 | 599 | 601 | 87.4% |
| 2022 | 599 | 592 | 92.3% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Subaru Outback covers 7,792 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 8,937 |
| 6–7 years | 8,667 |
| 8–10 years | 8,679 |
| 11–14 years | 7,410 |
| 15–19 years | 5,986 |
| 20+ years | 5,078 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Subaru Outbacks for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 937 in 2006. In 2025, 667 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 112 |
| ’04 | 762 |
| ’05 | 909 |
| ’06 | 937 |
| ’07 | 706 |
| ’08 | 688 |
| ’09 | 712 |
| ’10 | 771 |
| ’11 | 695 |
| ’12 | 356 |
| ’13 | 316 |
| ’14 | 259 |
| ’15 | 827 |
| ’16 | 787 |
| ’17 | 486 |
| ’18 | 680 |
| ’19 | 624 |
| ’20 | 263 |
| ’21 | 622 |
| ’22 | 605 |
| ’23 | 772 |
| ’24 | 755 |
| ’25 | 667 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 9,372 Subaru Outbacks licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 69.6% have an engine of 2,401cc to 2,500cc, and 23.9% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc. The share with an engine of 2,401cc to 2,500cc has grown from 39.9% in 2014 to 69.6%. Petrols made up 61.8% of those licensed in 2014 and 75.7% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 6,520 licensed | 69.6% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 2,242 licensed | 23.9% |
| 3,001cc to 3,100cc 468 licensed | 5.0% |
| Other sizes 142 licensed | 1.5% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,401–2,500cc | Petrol | 6,492 | 69.3% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 2,242 | 23.9% |
| 3,001–3,100cc | Petrol | 461 | 4.9% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 2,401–2,500cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 3,001–3,100cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39.9% | 36.8% | 21.2% |
| 2015 | 39.3% | 40.0% | 18.6% |
| 2016 | 39.1% | 42.4% | 16.5% |
| 2017 | 40.7% | 42.1% | 15.2% |
| 2018 | 43.2% | 40.8% | 13.9% |
| 2019 | 46.9% | 38.4% | 12.6% |
| 2020 | 48.6% | 37.6% | 11.7% |
| 2021 | 52.8% | 35.0% | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 56.7% | 32.4% | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 61.2% | 29.4% | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 65.5% | 26.5% | 6.5% |
| 2025 | 69.6% | 23.9% | 5.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 61.8% | 36.8% | 1.4% |
| 2015 | 58.7% | 40.0% | 1.2% |
| 2016 | 56.4% | 42.4% | 1.2% |
| 2017 | 56.9% | 42.1% | 1.0% |
| 2018 | 58.3% | 40.8% | 0.9% |
| 2019 | 60.8% | 38.4% | 0.8% |
| 2020 | 61.6% | 37.6% | 0.8% |
| 2021 | 64.3% | 35.0% | 0.7% |
| 2022 | 66.9% | 32.4% | 0.7% |
| 2023 | 70.1% | 29.4% | 0.5% |
| 2024 | 73.0% | 26.5% | 0.5% |
| 2025 | 75.7% | 23.9% | 0.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Subaru Outback from 2009 to 2025. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2025), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 33.0 mpg, with CO2 of 193 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2009 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 28.2 to 50.4 mpg, with CO2 of 145 to 232 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 petrol | 33.0 | 193 | 2019–2025 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 7 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 petrol | 32.5–40.4 | 161–205 | 2009–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6d‑TEMP | 23 |
| 3.0 petrol | 28.8 | 231 | 2009–2010 | Euro 4 | 4 |
| 3.6 petrol | 28.2 | 232 | 2010–2013 | Euro 5 | 4 |
| 2.0 diesel | 44.1–50.4 | 145–167 | 2009–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6b | 28 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 15 safety recalls for the Subaru Outback since 1992, the first in 2010. The most recent was launched on 1 November 2024.
All 15 Subaru Outback recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Subaru Outback. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 9,169 | +0.6% | 1,014 | 348 | Petrol |
| Subaru Forester | 15,896 | −2.1% | 3,745 | 277 | Petrol |
| Subaru Impreza | 11,510 | −7.3% | 16,565 | 323 | Petrol |
| Subaru XV | 7,033 | −1.8% | 136 | 386 | Petrol |
| Subaru Legacy | 3,684 | −12.0% | 3,386 | 472 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 10,183 Outback records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 7,750 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
