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Subaru Legacy reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20142 named generationsSaloonDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 634 MOT tests for Subaru Legacys built around 2006 (19 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Subaru Legacy built around 2006: about average at the MOT

Subaru Legacys built around 2006 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Subaru Legacy by number plate

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Subaru Legacys built around 2006 ended in a fail (retests included), against 28% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Subaru Legacys built around 2006 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Subaru Legacy's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Legacy's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M

Mk5 (BM/BR) (2009-2014)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

26.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Likely between 20.6% and 33.0%

Fails as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 190 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk4 (BL/BP) (2003-2008)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

28.4% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Likely between 25.0% and 32.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 634 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Subaru Legacy.

See every build year for the Subaru Legacy

Side-by-side

Subaru Legacy generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (BM/BR) (2009-2014)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate26.3%likely between 20.6% and 33.0%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 190 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (BL/BP) (2003-2008)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate28.4%likely between 25.0% and 32.0%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 634 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Legacy, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Subaru Legacy fail rate by age

This chart combines every Subaru Legacy ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
8322.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
21226.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
50828.3%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
51628.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
59227.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
38230.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
48327.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
60127.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
63428.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
57727.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
38728.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
15627.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
15229.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
12432.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
34427.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 19-year-old Subaru Legacys

These issues come from 19-year-old Subaru Legacys, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    38.6%
    Advisory: 490Fail: 58 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.8%
    Advisory: 178Fail: 7 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    18.3%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 9 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.1%
    Advisory: 94Fail: 13 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.5%
    Advisory: 109Fail: 8 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 634 MOT tests on 19-year-old Subaru Legacys, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 19-year-old Subaru Legacys notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension42%
  2. Body & structure + Suspension33%
  3. Suspension + Tyres31%
  4. Lighting + Suspension30%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 376 MOT tests on Subaru Legacy cars built around 2006 (19 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Subaru Legacy.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

13 recalls in all

7 of the 13 Subaru Legacy recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Obstruction in cowl area may force wipers to park out of position and overheat
  • Front passenger airbag inflator may fail
  • The load may exceed the valve spring's fatigue strength and the spring may fracture

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.1%

    Lower fail rate: 25.1%, against 28.4% for the Subaru Legacy, both built around 2006.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,904 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  2. 2

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.4%
    Dangerous
    8.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Legacy on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,592 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  3. 3

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.3%
    Dangerous
    7.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 24.7%, against 28.4% for the Subaru Legacy, both built around 2006.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,923 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.7%
    Dangerous
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 25.5%, against 28.4% for the Subaru Legacy, both built around 2006.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,343 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the Subaru Legacy across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 634 19-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Subaru Legacy ever sold: 5,751 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2006 (19 years old): 634 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.