Subaru Legacy Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Legacy car check
Is the Subaru Legacy reliable? We analysed 349,986 real MOT tests across 31,204 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Legacy? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Legacy is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Legacy.
Subaru Legacy Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Legacy. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Legacy MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Legacy to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Legacy Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Legacy fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Legacy Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Legacy owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Legacy MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Legacy year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 135 | 84.4% | 80,522 | 121,407 | 152,251 |
| 2020 | 313 | 84.0% | 81,914 | 108,646 | 136,806 |
| 2019 | 429 | 78.8% | 86,529 | 112,264 | 140,122 |
| 2018 | 496 | 82.5% | 84,860 | 106,634 | 129,568 |
| 2017 | 546 | 77.1% | 94,456 | 121,640 | 146,988 |
| 2016 | 624 | 79.5% | 93,467 | 118,384 | 150,408 |
| 2015 | 392 | 81.9% | 70,384 | 103,551 | 138,485 |
| 2014 | 256 | 77.3% | 74,940 | 118,531 | 146,468 |
| 2013 | 2,508 | 80.8% | 45,239 | 68,550 | 95,894 |
| 2012 | 3,873 | 79.7% | 45,407 | 70,799 | 100,769 |
| 2011 | 7,897 | 78.3% | 49,968 | 76,588 | 106,215 |
| 2010 | 10,247 | 77.6% | 52,806 | 82,874 | 113,348 |
| 2009 | 11,056 | 77.1% | 52,346 | 79,554 | 107,638 |
| 2008 | 13,225 | 74.9% | 59,387 | 87,893 | 115,897 |
| 2007 | 14,826 | 75.2% | 57,038 | 87,409 | 117,137 |
| 2006 | 23,517 | 74.3% | 56,300 | 85,500 | 115,397 |
| 2005 | 29,694 | 74.0% | 57,847 | 87,707 | 119,828 |
| 2004 | 30,490 | 73.2% | 58,632 | 87,729 | 118,282 |
| 2003 | 23,817 | 72.2% | 57,338 | 86,036 | 115,139 |
| 2002 | 19,942 | 71.6% | 65,593 | 93,093 | 122,358 |
How Long Does a Subaru Legacy Last?
Based on 31,204 Subaru Legacy vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Legacy Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Legacy MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Legacy
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.4% MOT pass rate from 135 tests
67.9% MOT pass rate from 8,273 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Legacy is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.4% across 135 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Legacy Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Legacy THIS CAR | 72.5% | 349,986 | 96,000 mi | 35 yrs |
| Subaru Impreza | 75.7% | 915,729 | 83,083 mi | 33 yrs |
| Subaru Forester | 76.1% | 456,470 | 85,220 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Outback | 78.2% | 130,193 | 78,217 mi | 23 yrs |
| Toyota Hi-ace | 73% | 394,969 | 120,530 mi | 32 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Legacy trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Legacy you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Subaru LegacyShould you buy a used Subaru Legacy?
The Subaru Legacy has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.5% across 349,986 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru Legacy are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (11,876 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (7,089), and brake pipe excessively corroded (6,828). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Subaru Legacy owner drives around 6,548 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Subaru Legacy models stay on UK roads for around 35 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.