2012 Subaru Legacy petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Subaru Legacy petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Subaru Legacy petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints13.2× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  6.6% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Subaru Legacy

  8.5% All 2012 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 2.7% of all 2012 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 2012 Subaru Legacy petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Subaru Legacy petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  30% 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
  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.

• Tyres
  24% 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.

• Brakes
  24% 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
  9% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 13.2× as often on the 2012 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Subaru Legacy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?