2010 Subaru Legacy diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  19.5% All 2010 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.1% of all 2010 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 bushes and joints13.2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  7.9% All 2010 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.1% of all 2010 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.

• Sub-frame2.5× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  12.8% All 2010 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Sidelights2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  12.7% All 2010 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 5.7% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Electronic stability control18.3× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  5.5% All 2010 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 0.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

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

Common 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  8% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel

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 1.9× as often on the 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 13.2× as often on the 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?