Petrol Subaru Legacy: MOT pass rate

70.3% of petrol Subaru Legacies pass the MOT first time, measured across 4,363 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 112,035.

Petrol against the other Subaru Legacy versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Subaru Legacy specifically, petrol is the strongest at 70.3%, and this petrol version sits 0.9 points above the 69.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Subaru Legacy had covered 112,035 miles at test, against 114,746 for the diesel. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Subaru Legacy page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Subaru Legacy

1. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 3.6% of tests (6.99x the national rate for this defect)
2. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 2.3% of tests (6.55x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.7% of tests (3.9x the national rate for this defect)
4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.5% of tests (3.44x the national rate for this defect)
5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 3.6% of tests (2.83x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.6% of tests (2.45x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 12.3% of tests (2.44x the national rate for this defect)
8. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.5% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5.2% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
10. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.7% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)

From 4,398 DVSA-tracked petrol Subaru Legacy tests, 2024, split out from the Subaru Legacy's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.39% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Subaru Legacy

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 58.1% of tests (4.35x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 4.8% of tests (4.31x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 6.2% of tests (4.06x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.4% of tests (3.55x the national rate for this defect)
5. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 4.3% of tests (3.38x the national rate for this defect)
6. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 9.5% of tests (3.36x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 16.6% of tests (3.2x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 12.7% of tests (2.05x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9.3% of tests (1.97x the national rate for this defect)
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.2% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)

From 4,398 DVSA-tracked petrol Subaru Legacy tests, 2024.

Other Subaru Legacy fuel types

• Diesel Subaru Legacy - 64.1%

All Subaru Legacy MOT data · Every model