2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate and common faults

355 MOT tests in 2024. 57.8% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time57.8%
Failed or needed repairs42.3%
Typical mileage at test117,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 355 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn5.4%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.4%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.8%
  4. Position lamp: not working4.5%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.9%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.9%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
    16 marked dangerous
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.1%
  9. Headlamp levelling device: inoperative2.8%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics23.7%
  2. Suspension22.8%
  3. Emissions & leaks15.2%
  4. Brakes15.2%
  5. Body & chassis9.9%
  6. Tyres8.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn25.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.8%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.4%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn11.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn. 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 2008 Subaru Legacy?

In 2024, 57.8% of 2008 Subaru Legacy cars passed their MOT first time, across 355 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Subaru Legacy?

The most common failure reasons were linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Subaru Legacy reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).