2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate and common faults

436 MOT tests in 2024. 60.3% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time60.3%
Failed or needed repairs39.7%
Typical mileage at test119,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 436 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.1%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.9%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.7%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.4%
  7. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
    20 marked dangerous
  9. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.8%
  10. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics36.0%
  2. Suspension27.5%
  3. Brakes16.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks15.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.4%
  6. Body & chassis9.2%
  7. Tyres5.0%
  8. Steering1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn22.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.9%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened13.8%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick13.5%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn10.1%

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: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2003 LegacyAll Legacy years2005 Legacy →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Subaru Legacy?

In 2024, 60.3% of 2004 Subaru Legacy cars passed their MOT first time, across 436 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Subaru Legacy?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Subaru Legacy reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).