MOT failures by make
Subaru MOT failures for “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect”
Subaru cars failed their MOT on “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect” in 1.26% of 120,127 tests in 2023–2024 (1,508 tests) — 47% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 2.36% of tests. It is the number 12 most common failure item on Subarus.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Subaru tests failing on it
- 1.26%
- 1,508 of 120,127 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 2.36%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 0.53×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #12 for Subaru
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, Subarus fail 24% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 0.70× narrower than that overall level, so it is a genuine Subaru pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the lights, reflectors and electrical part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.31% of MOT tests.
Subaru models and “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect”
The Subaru Xv is least affected (0.39× comparable cars); the Subaru Forester most (0.78×). Every model listed is below the national rate, so the pattern runs across the range. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 32,848 | 1.50% | 0.78× |
| Subaru Legacy | 11,241 | 2.13% | 0.74× |
| Subaru Outback | 14,983 | 0.73% | 0.49× |
| Subaru Impreza | 37,283 | 1.54% | 0.48× |
| Subaru Xv | 12,782 | 0.22% | 0.39× |
By age at test
The difference is most pronounced at 7-8 years old: 0.14% of Subaru tests against 0.70% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | Subaru tests | Subaru | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 9,753 | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| 5-6 | 11,518 | 0.14% | 0.39% |
| 7-8 | 13,184 | 0.14% | 0.70% |
| 9-10 | 9,313 | 0.44% | 1.22% |
| 11-12 | 8,614 | 0.70% | 1.70% |
| 13-15 | 15,807 | 0.92% | 2.60% |
| 16+ | 49,410 | 2.46% | 4.06% |
Other Subaru MOT faults that stand out
- Coil spring: fractured or broken · 0.46× comparable cars
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength · 1.56× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Subaru tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this Subaru failed on it before?
Enter a registration to see that car’s own MOT history, advisories and the running costs 73 Auto expects. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.