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Subaru Legacy reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 39,473 MOT tests of cars first registered 2000–2011.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
61.5%pass first time
+6.0 ptsvs typical car
Beats 70%of cars
39,473MOT tests

Verdict

The Subaru Legacy passes its MOT first time on 61.5% of tests, 6.0 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (55.6%). That puts it ahead of 70% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2004 Legacy does best (beats 74% of cars) and the 2000 worst (beats 60%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Petrol does best (beats 80%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 64%).

Better than average on brakes, visibility, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Emissions & leaks1.4×as often as a typical car
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2×as often as a typical car
Engine warning light1.8×as often as a typical car
Anti-roll bar links1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%55%60%65%70%75%89101112131415161718192072%66%63%60%59%60%63%
Subaru LegacyTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2000
Beats 60%
2003
Beats 64%
2004
Beats 74%
2005
Beats 73%
2006
Beats 69%
2007
Beats 72%
2008
Beats 61%
2009
Beats 72%
2010
Beats 74%
2011
Beats 66%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2000–201119,17260.8%Beats 70%B
2.0 Diesel2008–20117,56463.4%Beats 64%B
2.5 Petrol2003–20106,98460.4%Beats 67%B
3.0 Petrol2004–20065,75362.5%Beats 80%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 9.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 14.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 19.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 19.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.7 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.7 ptsSuspension: 14.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.4 ptsExhaust: 9.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.6 ptsSuspension: 14.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 19.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 9.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 19.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.7 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 9.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.7 ptsSuspension: 14.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.4 ptsExhaust: 9.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 9.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
19.1% vs 21.8%
Suspension
14.2% vs 17.6%
Brakes
9.4% vs 13.1%
Emissions & leaks
9.1% vs 6.4%
Body & structure
6.8% vs 7.6%
Tyres
6.7% vs 8.1%
Visibility
5.6% vs 7.2%
Steering
1.0% vs 3.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 2.5%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.2× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Engine warning light 1.8× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Anti-roll bar links 1.7× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k75%69%62%60%56%54%
Subaru LegacyTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights5.7%5.9%1.0×
Tyre damage & cracking4.6%4.1%1.1×
Headlight aim4.6%5.9%0.8×
Brake lights4.3%4.3%1.0×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)4.1%1.8%2.2×
Engine warning light3.9%2.1%1.8×
Exhaust system3.3%2.5%1.3×
Brake pads3.2%2.3%1.4×
Windscreen washers2.9%3.3%0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units2.8%4.2%0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn78.2
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning45.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements45.6
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction43.1
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning41.2
Exhaust system leaking or insecure31.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm30.2
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen29.0
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2011 Subaru Legacy2 engines67.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,06365.9%Beats 64%B
2.0 Petrol1,32870.3%Beats 72%B
2010 Subaru Legacy2 engines66.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,58166.5%Beats 74%B
2.5 Petrol1,54367.7%Beats 75%B
2009 Subaru Legacy2 engines64.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,70060.8%Beats 61%B
2.5 Petrol1,21069.6%Beats 88%A
2008 Subaru Legacy2 engines59.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,43961.6%Beats 67%B
2.0 Diesel1,22056.2%Beats 52%C
2007 Subaru Legacy1 engine62.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,39662.1%Beats 72%B
2006 Subaru Legacy2 engines60.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,70457.9%Beats 63%B
3.0 Petrol1,84165.2%Beats 85%A
2005 Subaru Legacy3 engines60.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,09360.1%Beats 72%B
3.0 Petrol2,34862.4%Beats 79%B
2.5 Petrol1,61757.2%Beats 64%B
2004 Subaru Legacy3 engines59.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,65561.3%Beats 79%B
2.5 Petrol1,56457.0%Beats 67%B
3.0 Petrol1,56459.7%Beats 74%B
2003 Subaru Legacy2 engines56.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,53561.4%Beats 78%B
2.5 Petrol1,05049.2%Beats 39%D
2000 Subaru Legacy1 engine57.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,02257.0%Beats 60%C

FAQ

What is the Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate?

61.5% of MOT tests on the Subaru Legacy were passed first time, based on 39,473 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2000–2011. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 55.6% of the time.

Is the Subaru Legacy reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 70% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Subaru Legacy year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2004 Legacy does best for its age and mileage: it beats 74% of cars on UK roads. The 2000 does worst: it beats 60%.

Which Subaru Legacy engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Petrol does best: it beats 80% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 64%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Subaru Legacy?

The most common failure items are sidelights, tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, exhaust emissions (catalyst) comes up 2.2× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.