Subaru Legacy LX AWD Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Legacy LX AWD car check
Is the Subaru Legacy LX AWD reliable? We analysed 495 real MOT tests across 110 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Legacy LX AWD? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Legacy LX AWD is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Legacy LX AWD.
Subaru Legacy LX AWD Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Legacy LX AWD. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Legacy LX AWD MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Legacy LX AWD to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Legacy LX AWD Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Legacy LX AWD fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Legacy LX AWD Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Legacy LX AWD owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Legacy LX AWD MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Legacy LX AWD year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 237 | 71.7% | 84,322 | 102,129 | 123,760 |
| 1997 | 206 | 62.1% | 98,953 | 114,678 | 128,128 |
How Long Does a Subaru Legacy LX AWD Last?
Based on 110 Subaru Legacy LX AWD vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Legacy LX AWD Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Legacy LX AWD 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 LX AWD
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.7% MOT pass rate from 237 tests
62.1% MOT pass rate from 206 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Legacy LX AWD is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.7% across 237 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.1% — 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 LX AWD Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Legacy LX AWD THIS CAR | 67.7% | 495 | 109,369 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Impreza | 75.7% | 915,729 | 83,083 mi | 33 yrs |
| Subaru Forester | 76.1% | 456,470 | 85,220 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Legacy | 72.5% | 349,986 | 96,000 mi | 35 yrs |
| Piaggio Vespa 50 | 84.9% | 795 | 9,264 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Legacy LX AWD trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Legacy LX AWD 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 Legacy LX AWDShould you buy a used Subaru Legacy LX AWD?
The Subaru Legacy LX AWD has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.7% across 495 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru Legacy LX AWD are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (47 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (36), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (25). 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 LX AWD owner drives around 8,231 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 LX AWD models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.