Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate and common problems
71.2% of 8,154 Subaru Legacy MOT tests pass.
The Legacy passes 71.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Subaru models (80.9%).
The Subaru Legacy passes 71.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Subaru Legacy?
This is the average across every Subaru Legacy in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Subaru’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Subaru Legacy tested at 0–3 years pass 90.6% of the time, compared with just 69.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 90.6% | 32 | 83,979 miles |
| 3–6 years | 81.6% | 223 | 94,019 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.9% | 308 | 106,862 miles |
| 10–15 years | 72.2% | 2,335 | 102,385 miles |
| 15+ years | 69.7% | 5,256 | 115,414 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Subaru Legacy
The most common reason the Subaru Legacy fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 66.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 66.9% | Not working |
| Suspension | 55.9% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 33.3% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 28.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 20.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 16.8% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Visibility | 15.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 3.7% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Subaru Legacy: what to check
These checks follow the Subaru Legacy’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Subaru Legacy comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 90.6% to 81.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 79.5% down to 69.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 66.9% of failed Subaru Legacy MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 55.9% of failed Subaru Legacy MOTs. 22.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 6.3% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 33.3% of failed Subaru Legacy MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 28.0% of failed Subaru Legacy MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 20.8% of failed Subaru Legacy MOTs. 9.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 3.1% at 0–3 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Subaru service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Subaru models
- Subaru Forester — 75.6% pass rate
- Subaru Outback — 81.2% pass rate
- Subaru XV — 85.1% pass rate
- Subaru WRX — 93.1% pass rate
- Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr — 95.6% pass rate
- Subaru BRZ — 92.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Legacy?
- 71.2% of Subaru Legacy MOT tests pass, based on 8,154 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Subaru Legacy?
- The most common reason the Subaru Legacy fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 66.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Subaru Legacy?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Subaru Legacy are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Subaru Legacy?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Subaru Legacy's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Subaru service history guide for how to check and keep one.