2011 Subaru Legacy petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints12.2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  7.3% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, 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.

• Steering rack inner joints3.6× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  8% All 2011 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)5.6× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  5.6% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Headlights2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  9.9% All 2011 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, 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.

• Engine warning light2.5× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  4.5% All 2011 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.8% 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.

Common 2011 Subaru Legacy petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  32% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  29% 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
  23% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% 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.

• Steering
  9% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 12.2× as often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2011 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?