Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Subaru Outback
What to check on a used Outback, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- BR 2009–2014
- BS 2015–2020
- BT 2021–2025
- BU 2026 on
Or get a checklist built for the exact Outback you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Subaru Outback
The most commonly reported problems on a used Subaru Outback are head gasket leaks and oil use on some engines, oil leaks low on the sides of the engine, and CVT automatic judder. Mismatched tyres strain the all-wheel drive, and a windscreen swap can upset the EyeSight driver-assist cameras.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
Head Gasket Leaks
The head gasket seals the joins between the main block of the engine and its heads. On some Outback engines it's known to weep, leaking oil or coolant, and a bad leak lets coolant and combustion gas mix, which can overheat the engine.
With the engine cold, check the coolant is at the mark and clean. Coolant loss, bubbles in the coolant tank, a sweet smell after the drive or a rising temperature gauge all point to a head gasket leak. Look low on the sides of the engine for oil or coolant seeping out.
Ask whether the head gaskets have ever been replaced, with receipts. It's a big job, so price it in if there's a leak, and walk away from a car that overheats.
Oil Use
Some engines in the Outback are known to burn oil between services. A little is normal, but an engine that needs regular top-ups can run low without warning, and running low on oil damages an engine fast.
Pull the dipstick: the level should sit between the marks, and the oil should be brown rather than black. Ask the seller how often they top it up, and watch the exhaust at start-up and when you accelerate for blue-grey smoke.
Check the service history for regular oil changes, as skipped services make it worse. Heavy oil use can mean worn engine internals, so if the seller is topping it up between services, have a mechanic check it before you buy.
Oil Leaks Low on the Sides of the Engine
An Outback's engine lies flat, with its cylinders on either side, so oil leaks from the heads and seals collect low on both sides of the engine rather than on top. They're easy to miss if you only look from above.
With a torch, look low on both sides of the engine and underneath for wet oil, drips and stains where the car is normally parked. A freshly degreased engine on an older car can be hiding a leak.
Small weeps are common and cheap to monitor, but steady leaks need fixing, so ask a mechanic for a price and take it off your offer.
CVT Automatic Problems
Many Outbacks use a CVT automatic, which uses a belt between two pulleys instead of fixed gears. A worn CVT can judder, surge or whine, and the fluid needs changing on schedule, which owners often skip.
On the test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and then firmly up a hill. Feel for a shudder as you pull away, revs rising without the car speeding up to match, surging at steady speeds, and listen for a whine that grows with speed. Any warning light or the car going into a limp mode is a bad sign.
Ask when the CVT fluid was last changed and whether the gearbox has ever been repaired or replaced, with receipts. A CVT replacement is one of the most expensive repairs on the car, so if it shows any of these signs, walk away or have a specialist check it.
Windscreen and Driver-Assist Cameras
Many Outbacks have twin EyeSight cameras behind the rear-view mirror for the driver-assist features. A replacement windscreen has to suit the cameras, and they have to be set up again afterwards, so a new windscreen costs noticeably more than a plain one.
Check the windscreen for chips and cracks, especially in front of the cameras, and make sure the driver-assist system shows no fault message. A fault after a windscreen swap can mean the cameras weren't set up properly.
Small chips can often be repaired cheaply, but a crack means a new windscreen, so price it in. If the windscreen has been replaced, ask whether the cameras were set up again afterwards.
Which Subaru Outback Years to Avoid?
No Subaru Outback year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
- BR (2009–2014). Every one is now over 10 years old, so condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
- BS (2015–2020). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
- BT (2021–2025). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
- BU (2026 on). The current model. Check how much of the new-car warranty is left and that servicing has kept it valid.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Outback you're looking at, from its listing.
Subaru Outback Inspection Checklist
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
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Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and Wheels
04
Interior and Electrics
05
Test Drive
06
Documentation
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Take this checklist to the viewing.
Download the free PDFOr let Shufti tailor it to the car from the listing link, with PPSR and recall checks included.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru; Subaru and Outback are trademarks of Subaru Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What This Guide Can't Tell You About the Outback You're Looking At
12+
recalls on Outbacks built since 2009
24
common faults reported on Outbacks built since 2009
9,622
owner complaints on Outbacks built since 2010
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
A Shufti inspection covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- PPSR and government recall checks included
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
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Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them.
Buying a Used Subaru Outback: Questions Answered
Is a used Subaru Outback reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?
No Subaru Outback year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
This checklist covers the BR (2009–2014), BS (2015–2020), BT (2021–2025) and BU (2026 on) Subaru Outback. Problems reported across them include head gasket leaks, oil use, oil leaks low on the sides of the engine and CVT automatic judder.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Subaru Outback?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre SUV with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, done short trips or been used for rideshare. Check the history for regular servicing, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health check.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Subaru Outback?
It's worth it if you can. All-wheel-drive and hybrid systems can hide faults that only a mechanic's tools will show. Most buyers don't book one, though, so whatever you decide, check the car thoroughly yourself with this checklist first. See Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?
How do I check a used Subaru Outback for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off, and costs $2. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | This Guide Free the basics, on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
PPSR and government recall checks | Yes | No | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
See it for yourself. Open the free sample report in the app, no sign-up needed.
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the general used car inspection checklist or browse every inspection checklist.