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MOT statistics · 2023 tests

Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate, common failures and mileage

In 2023, 68.9% of 5,967 MOT tests on the Subaru Legacy ended in a pass, 7.6 points below the 76.5% average for all cars.

Pass rate
68.9%
All cars 76.5%
Tests
5,967
Initial MOTs in 2023
Mileage at 11
97k
Median; middle half 71k to 119k

Pass rate and mileage by age

Each row covers the Subaru Legacy MOT tests at that age. Mileage shows the median and the middle half of odometer readings, from the 25th to the 75th percentile.

AgePass rateMileage
11443 tests
73.6%
97,000 · 71k to 119k
12438 tests
74.2%
103,000 · 79k to 127k
13544 tests
69.7%
107,000 · 85k to 131k
14337 tests
71.5%
107,000 · 81k to 129k
15528 tests
67.4%
113,000 · 85k to 137k
16608 tests
63.7%
117,000 · 91k to 143k
17691 tests
68.2%
117,000 · 89k to 145k
18575 tests
64.5%
119,000 · 95k to 147k
19405 tests
65.9%
121,000 · 91k to 151k
Legacy pass rateAll cars at that ageMiddle half of mileages

Most common MOT failures and advisories

How often each item came up, per 100 MOT tests on the Subaru Legacy. Advisories are things the tester noted that did not fail the car, often wear that will need attention soon. Follow an item to see what it means and how serious it is.

Failures

Side and tail lights
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
5.8in 100 tests
Brake lights
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
4.2in 100 tests
Warning lights
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
3.6in 100 tests
Exhaust
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
2.9in 100 tests
Exhaust emissions
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
2.9in 100 tests
Suspension and drive joints
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
2.8in 100 tests
Brake pads
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
2.3in 100 tests
Corrosion near mountings
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mo
2.2in 100 tests

Advisories and minor defects

Brake discs
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
9.8in 100 tests
Brake pads
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
9.2in 100 tests
Brake pipes
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
7.8in 100 tests
Exhaust
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
6.9in 100 tests
Engine oil leaks
Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
6.3in 100 tests
Number plate lights
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (minor defect)
6.3in 100 tests
Tyres
A tyre seriously damaged
5.8in 100 tests
Coil springs
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
4.9in 100 tests

What to check on a used Legacy

The parts that come up most often in Subaru Legacy MOTs, and how to look at them on a viewing.

  1. Brake discs and pads
    Ask when the discs and pads were last replaced, and look through the wheel for a raised lip on the edge of the disc.
  2. Brake pipes and hoses
    Look underneath at the metal brake pipes for heavy rust, and at the rubber hoses for cracks or bulges.
  3. Exhaust and emissions
    Start the engine from cold and listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust, and look for smoke.
  4. Oil leaks
    Look under the engine and gearbox, and at the ground where the car was parked, for fresh oil.
  5. Lights
    Walk round with every light on, and ask someone to press the brake pedal so you can see both brake lights.

Check a specific Legacy

Fleet averages only go so far. Enter the registration to see that car's own MOT history, mileage record and current condition, free.

UK

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate of the Subaru Legacy?
In 2023, 68.9% of 5,967 initial MOT tests on the Subaru Legacy ended in a pass, against 76.5% for all cars and light vans.
What fails most often on a Subaru Legacy MOT?
The most common failures were side and tail lights (5.8 in 100 tests), brake lights (4.2 in 100 tests), warning lights (3.6 in 100 tests).
What is a normal mileage for a 11-year-old Subaru Legacy?
At 11 years old, the median Subaru Legacy at its MOT had covered 97,000 miles, and the middle half had between 71,000 and 119,000 miles.
What do MOT testers most often advise on a Subaru Legacy?
The most common advisories were brake discs (9.8 in 100 tests), brake pads (9.2 in 100 tests), brake pipes (7.8 in 100 tests).

Other Subaru models

Overall MOT pass rate in 2023. Compare all Subaru models or see every make.

Impreza76.9%Forester74.9%Outback78.9%Legacy68.9%XV85.2%

How these figures are made. We counted every initial MOT test (not retests) of cars and light vans in Great Britain in 2023 from the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset, 33,842,940 tests in all. Pass rate is the share of initial tests that ended in a pass, counting faults fixed during the test. Age is whole years from first registration to the test, so a car having its first MOT a few weeks early counts as 2.

Like-for-like pass rates average each model's pass rate at ages 3 to 10 with the same age mix for every model, so a model is not flattered by a young fleet or penalised by an old one. Models are grouped by the first word of the DVSA model name, and names that cover several models are left out.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. RegTail's analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset, 2023 tests.