2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate and common faults

198 MOT tests in 2024. 60.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time60.6%
Failed or needed repairs39.4%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 198 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.6%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.0%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.0%
    13 marked dangerous
  4. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.5%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.0%
  7. Stop lamp: not working3.0%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.5%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    10 marked dangerous
  10. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension23.7%
  2. Lights & electrics23.7%
  3. Emissions & leaks13.1%
  4. Brakes13.1%
  5. Body & chassis12.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.6%
  7. Tyres6.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.2%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.6%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick12.1%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Subaru Legacy?

In 2024, 60.6% of 2003 Subaru Legacy cars passed their MOT first time, across 198 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Subaru Legacy?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2003 Subaru Legacy reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).