At a Glance
The Subaru Legacy has 6 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the BD/BG (1994-1998) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 269K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Subaru Legacy common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Subaru Legacy generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Subaru Legacy Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Legacy 1st Gen (BC/BF)
BD/BG
Top issue: Suspension linkage pins, bushes or ball joints worn
BE/BH
Top issue: Steering rack fault
BL/BP
Most common MOT failure: Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn
BM/BR
Top issue: Electronic parking brake fault
Most Common Subaru Legacy MOT Failures
Every reason Subaru Legacy vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 12.40% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.94% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 5.98% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.50% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.14% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.81% |
| 7 | Driveshaft fault | 4.48% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 4.37% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.00% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 3.97% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.87% |
| 12 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 3.86% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.90% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.86% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.43% |
| 16 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.01% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.92% |
| 18 | Fog lamp not working | 1.65% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.65% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.29% |
| 21 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.08% |
| 22 | Headlamp fault | 0.96% |
| 23 | Steering rack fault | 0.94% |
| 24 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.93% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.71% |
| 26 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.68% |
| 27 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.67% |
| 28 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.53% |
| 29 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.52% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.52% |
| 31 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.52% |
| 32 | Rear lamp not working | 0.51% |
| 33 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.49% |
| 34 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.39% |
| 35 | Rear suspension fault | 0.34% |
| 36 | ABS fault | 0.34% |
| 37 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.34% |
| 38 | Front suspension fault | 0.32% |
| 39 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 40 | Brake pedal fault | 0.28% |
| 41 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.26% |
| 42 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.26% |
| 43 | Chassis condition | 0.24% |
| 44 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.24% |
| 45 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.22% |
| 46 | Parking brake condition | 0.22% |
| 47 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.19% |
| 48 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.18% |
| 49 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.17% |
| 50 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.17% |
| 51 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.16% |
| 52 | Horn not working | 0.16% |
| 53 | Track rod end worn | 0.16% |
| 54 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.15% |
| 55 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 56 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.14% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 58 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.12% |
| 59 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.12% |
| 60 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 61 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.11% |
| 62 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 63 | Airbag warning light on | 0.10% |
| 64 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 65 | Electrical switch fault | 0.09% |
| 66 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 67 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 68 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 69 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.06% |
| 71 | CV joint worn | 0.05% |
| 72 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 73 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 74 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 75 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 76 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 77 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 81 | Steering arm worn | 0.04% |
| 82 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 83 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.04% |
| 84 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 85 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.03% |
| 87 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 92 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 94 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 95 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 96 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 98 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 102 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 107 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 116 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 122 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 128 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 137 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 149 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 153 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 154 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 165 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 166 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 174 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Subaru Legacy MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Subaru Legacy, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Subaru Legacy problems?
Based on analysis of 269K Subaru Legacy MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 6 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension linkage pins, bushes or ball joints worn". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Subaru Legacy generation has the most problems?
The Subaru Legacy BD/BG (1994-1998) (1994–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (4). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Subaru Legacy?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Subaru Legacy owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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