MOT failure rate and common problems for the Subaru Cargo, and how to check your own car by registration.

Updated 05 September 2026.

34.4%fail rate

Subaru Cargo MOT failure rate

What a Subaru Cargo fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Lamps & electrical61.9% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Exhaust & emissions33.3% of failures

Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.

Other23.8% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

Visibility/wipers19.0% of failures

Visibility failures include torn or smearing wiper blades, a washer jet that does not reach the screen, and chips or cracks in the driver's swept area. Blades and washer fluid are quick, cheap fixes.

Suspension14.3% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

Brakes14.3% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the lamps & electrical failure: Subaru Cargo headlight and indicator bulbsShop Subaru Cargo headlight and indicator bulbs on Amazonaffiliate Find Subaru Cargo headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate

For the exhaust & emissions failure: Subaru Cargo exhaustShop Subaru Cargo exhaust on Amazonaffiliate Find Subaru Cargo exhaust on eBayaffiliate

For the visibility/wipers failure: Subaru Cargo wiper bladesShop Subaru Cargo wiper blades on Amazonaffiliate Find Subaru Cargo wiper blades on eBayaffiliate

For the suspension failure: Subaru Cargo suspension springs and shock absorbersShop Subaru Cargo suspension springs and shock absorbers on Amazonaffiliate Find Subaru Cargo suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

For the brakes failure: Subaru Cargo brake pads and discsShop Subaru Cargo brake pads and discs on Amazonaffiliate Find Subaru Cargo brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate

Other models

All Subaru models MOT failure rates comparedRanked worst to best Subaru Impreza MOT failures24.4% failure rate Subaru Forester MOT failures23.6% failure rate Ford Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Subaru Cargo?

It fails 34.4% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 61 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is lamps & electrical, at 61.9% of this model's failures.