2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate and common faults

597 MOT tests in 2024. 58.0% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time58.0%
Failed or needed repairs42.0%
Typical mileage at test115,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 597 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction7.2%
  2. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases5.0%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.9%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.7%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn4.2%
  6. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  7. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.7%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension27.1%
  2. Lights & electrics26.6%
  3. Emissions & leaks23.8%
  4. Body & chassis14.1%
  5. Brakes11.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.2%
  7. Tyres6.5%
  8. Steering1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn20.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.4%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.2%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.7%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn10.4%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2006 Subaru Legacy?

In 2024, 58.0% of 2006 Subaru Legacy cars passed their MOT first time, across 597 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Subaru Legacy?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 Subaru Legacy reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).