In a word no, crankshaft bearing failure can be a problem. A colleague of mine at work bought one a year ago, 60000 miles, full Subaru history, £8500 I think he paid but may be wrong, a year later (a few weeks ago, 72000 miles) crankshaft bearing failure, car grinds to a rattly halt. Replacement engine £7000, car sold on eBay for £2000 as non runner.

I had an '06 Outback 2.5 petrol - fantastic car, nothing ever went wrong, but the fuel consumption was dire.

I looked at the diesel Subaru when it was launched but soon heard tales of woe about the manual transmission.

I test drove the Outback diesel CVT when that was launched, superb drive but a new CVT, no thanks.

The fact that Subaru have never increased the power output beyond the 150 bhp it launched with, paltry for a 2.0 turbo-diesel, supports Ian's point above.

I'm a big fan of the marque, but as said petrol only, we have an elderly 3.0H6 Outback converted to LPG, chain cam, and it simply never puts a foot wrong, my wife wants another Scooby when this one eventually dies.

They made a big mistake with the Diesel, quite why they didn't Dieselise the 2.5 or 3.0 litre keeping the power lowish but the torque high i haven't a clue, i'm sure they could have persuaded Toyota to provide the ECU for it, Toyota ecu's being very difficult to remap.

Those Diesels which have self destructed at silly miles i would like to know if there is a common factor, such as extended servicing, neglect as in never checking the level, or lack of sympathy by driving the engine hard from cold.

Edited by gordonbennet on 17/04/2017 at 09:20

In 2011 Subaru totally redesigned the diesel with revised crankshaft - to prevent failures, new EGR valves - to prevent failures- and new injection system - to prevent failures.

The DMF was redesigned - to prevent failures.

The delaers have little expertise and engine spares are ££££s.. Literally.

Even now, if there are faults, the Owners Clubs are basically unable to help...

Petrol? OK.

Diesel ? Are you feeling lucky punk? (C Eastwood) And that's only today..

I would never buy a Subaru diesel.. (The problems are EU and Australia wide)..

Google Subaru diesel crankshaft failure...

Edited by madf on 17/04/2017 at 17:58

Thanks for the replies. Seems much as I thought. Unfortunately, despite the Passat experience he seems obsessed by mpg above all else (although a small car is not an option). I find it disappointing that a number of people look at mpg rather than overall running costs sometimes losing so much in depreciation they could have run a larger and more comfortable car. But then someone else went from a mid-sized hatch to a large people carrier when they started a family – I don’t think they have ever used all the space! Here is nothing as strange as people!