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Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) (2003-2008) reliability

At a glance

Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) built around 2006: about average at the MOT

Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) models 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.

Looking at a Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) models 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 Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) models built around 2006 involves the suspension.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2003-2008SaloonPETROL

Based on 2,918 tests of Legacy models registered 2003-2008.

About 1 in 9 Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) MOTs (11%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2006 (19 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 634 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 8.8% and 13.7%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) MOTs (6.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2006 (19 years old).

Based on 634 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 4.9% and 8.8%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk4 (BL/BP) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
14731.3%
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
8930.3%

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 16 years old.

How the Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) compares

At each age below, see how the Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 4,279 tests across 4 Subaru models, built around 2006 (19 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSubaru average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
14731.3%
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
8930.3%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP).

  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 Mk4 (BL/BP), 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 Mk4 (BL/BP) 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 Mk4 (BL/BP), 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 Mk4 (BL/BP), 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.

Recall context

13 recalls in all

4 of the 13 Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Front passenger airbag inflator may fail
  • Electronic parking brake capacitor on inner circuit board and magnet ring of the sensor may fracture
  • Mis connection of the fuel pump connector

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

What has gone wrong on Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) cars built around 2006

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 119 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
60%
Emissions
52%
Drivetrain
13%
Steering
11%
Bodywork
5%

Wear items

Lighting
56%
Tyres
46%
Brakes
42%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 25% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) cars have aged

How Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1315171921Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (425 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (387 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (361 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (317 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (216 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (461 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (400 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (350 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (288 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (275 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (658 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (574 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (520 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (432 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (344 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (666 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (533 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (435 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (387 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (308 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (478 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (401 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (343 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (301 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (229 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (222 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (171 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (141 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (113 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (89 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as Mk4 (BL/BP) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk4 (BL/BP) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car18 years19 years20 years
Suspension43%60%65%
Brakes45%42%53%
Emissions55%52%37%
Tyres34%46%47%
Lighting60%56%60%
Drivetrain27%13%16%
Bodywork3%5%3%
Steering3%11%3%
Corrosion18%25%24%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 67 to 157 cars at each age.

Mk4 (BL/BP) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Subaru Legacys of this age

This list covers every Subaru Legacy built around 2006, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk4 (BL/BP) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the Subaru Legacy Mk4 (BL/BP) (2003-2008) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,918 MOT tests on Subaru Legacys first registered between 2003-2008. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.