MOT failure data · 2025
Subaru Legacy MOT problems
Across every Subaru Legacy that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn, on 6.44% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 24.25%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Subaru Legacy MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.44% |
| 2 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.07% |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.45% |
| 4 | Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis, structure | 3.11% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.06% |
| 6 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.04% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.99% |
| 8 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 2.95% |
| 9 | Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.81% |
| 10 | Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body, chassis, structure | 2.53% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Subaru Legacy, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Subaru Legacy buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Subaru Legacy?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Subaru models
- Subaru Impreza MOT problems
- Subaru Forester MOT problems
- Subaru Outback MOT problems
- Subaru XV MOT problems
Subaru Legacy MOT FAQs
What does a Subaru Legacy most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Subaru Legacy cars failing their 2025 MOT was "pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn", appearing on 6.44% of failure items.
Does this mean my Subaru Legacy will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Subaru Legacy that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Subaru Legacy passed 71.37% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Subaru Legacy's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate · used Subaru Legacy buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.