Skip to main content
Check

Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) (2009-2014) reliability

Not enough data

Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) built around 2013: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) models built around 2013 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) right now?

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

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2009-2014SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 2,112 tests of Legacy models registered 2009-2014.

Mk5 (BM/BR) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
20127.9%

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 13 years old.

How the Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) compares

At each age below, see how the Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 2,170 tests across 7 Subaru models, built around 2013 (12 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSubaru average
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
20127.9%

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 discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

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.

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 Mk5 (BM/BR).

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 17.6%, against 26.9% for the Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR), both built around 2013.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,155 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.3%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    Lower fail rate: 21.9%, against 26.9% for the Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR), both built around 2013.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,384 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) on these figures.

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

    1,583 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    6.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 26.9% for the Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR), both built around 2013.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,999 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

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

6 of the 13 Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 4 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.

How Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) cars have aged

How Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) 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%810121416Age at MOTBuilt around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (145 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (149 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (146 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (142 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (130 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (272 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (264 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (257 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (238 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (256 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (373 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (350 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (333 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (320 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (307 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (458 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (424 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (412 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (361 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (322 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (328 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (293 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (257 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (227 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (201 tests, 2025 data)2009
First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Subaru Legacys of this age

This list covers every Subaru Legacy built around 2013, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk5 (BM/BR) 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

    26.4%
    Advisory: 96Fail: 12 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    22.6%
    Advisory: 76Fail: 3 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    12.7%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.7%
    Advisory: 33Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.8%
    Advisory: 33Fail: 6 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 212 tests

Looking at a Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the Subaru Legacy Mk5 (BM/BR) (2009-2014) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 212 12-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 2,112 MOT tests on Subaru Legacys first registered between 2009-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.