2011 Subaru Legacy diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  20% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.

• Sidelights2.6× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  14.3% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.1%, against 4.8% of all 2011 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints14.8× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  8.9% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  13.9% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Headlights2.2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  10.8% All 2011 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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
  38% 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
  36% 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
  34% 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.

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  8% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 2× as often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 14.8× as often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?