2008 Subaru Legacy petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  23.1% All 2008 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.4× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  14.4% All 2008 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints11.1× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  10% All 2008 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  16.5% All 2008 cars

  8.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  16.2% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  33% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  27% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Driveshafts and joints
  9% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 11.1× as often on the 2008 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?