2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate and common faults

379 MOT tests in 2024. 61.7% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time61.7%
Failed or needed repairs38.3%
Typical mileage at test105,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 379 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.0%
  2. Stop lamp: not working3.4%
  3. Headlamp aim: too low3.4%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
    14 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp levelling device: inoperative2.9%
  7. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.9%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.9%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.6%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.4%
    13 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics27.4%
  2. Suspension20.8%
  3. Brakes15.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks10.8%
  5. Tyres9.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  7. Body & chassis5.5%
  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 worn26.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.3%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.8%

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2009 Subaru Legacy?

In 2024, 61.7% of 2009 Subaru Legacy cars passed their MOT first time, across 379 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Subaru Legacy?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; stop lamp: not working; headlamp aim: too low. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 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).