Subaru Legacy reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Subaru Legacy is a car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 112 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 196 of 442, and 37.2% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is position lamp (6.4% of tests).
Ranked 196 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League
In 2024, 4,614 Subaru Legacys aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 37.2% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Subaru Legacy is 11% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
37.2%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
8,200
Typical age at test: 16 years
Subaru Legacy MOT failure rate by age
Most common Subaru Legacy MOT faults
- Position lamp: not working6.4% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.9% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.0% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working3.9% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.1% of tests
- Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1% of tests
What the Subaru Legacy fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 18.5% | About average |
| Suspension | 14.1% | ▼ 14% less often |
| Brakes | 9.9% | ▼ 16% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 9.4% | ▲ 1.6× as often |
| Body and structure | 7.4% | About average |
| Tyres | 6.0% | ▼ 20% less often |
| Visibility | 5.6% | ▼ 15% less often |
| Steering | 1.2% | ▼ 69% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | ▼ 71% less often |
| Wheels | 0.3% | ▼ 51% less often |
What MPG does the Subaru Legacy do?
Official economy for the Subaru Legacy ranges from 23 to 50.4mpg across the 118 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2013). A typical petrol version manages 33.6mpg and a typical diesel 47.9mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Subaru Legacy?
Any Subaru Legacy first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Subaru Legacy registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £225 to £790 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carSubaru Legacy specs and running costs
Official figures for 118 versions sold in the UK between 2004 and 2013.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol
Official economy
23.0–50.4 mpg
CO2
148–290 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.0D SManual · listed 2013 | Diesel | 46.3 mpg | 161g | £275 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.0D SEManual · listed 2013 | Diesel | 44.1 mpg | 168g | £325 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.0D SE NavPlusManual · listed 2013 | Diesel | 44.1 mpg | 168g | £325 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2012 MY 2.0D SManual · listed 2013 | Diesel | 49.6 mpg | 149g | £225 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2012 MY 2.0D SEManual · listed 2013 | Diesel | 47.9 mpg | 156g | £275 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2012 MY 2.0D SE NavPlusManual · listed 2013 | Diesel | 47.9 mpg | 156g | £275 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.0i ES NavManual · listed 2013 | Petrol | 32.8 mpg | 199g | £410 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.0i ES Nav LineartronicAutomatic · listed 2013 | Petrol | 34.9 mpg | 187g | £410 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.5i SE LineartronicAutomatic · listed 2013 | Petrol | 33.6 mpg | 196g | £410 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD, From 2010 MY 2.5i SE NavPlus LineartronicAutomatic · listed 2013 | Petrol | 33.6 mpg | 196g | £410 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD From 2010 MY 2.0D S6MT · listed 2012 | Diesel | 46.3 mpg | 161g | £275 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD From 2010 MY 2.0D SE6MT · listed 2012 | Diesel | 44.1 mpg | 168g | £325 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD From 2010 MY 2.0D SE NavPlus6MT · listed 2012 | Diesel | 44.1 mpg | 168g | £325 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD From 2012 MY 2.0D S6MT · listed 2012 | Diesel | 49.6 mpg | 149g | £225 |
| Legacy Tourer AWD From 2012 MY 2.0D SE6MT · listed 2012 | Diesel | 47.9 mpg | 156g | £275 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 118 versions.
What a Subaru Legacy costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 33.6mpg…
- diesel, typical official 47.9mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Subaru LegacyBuying a used Subaru Legacy?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Other Subaru models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Subaru Legacy reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the Subaru Legacy is 11% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 112 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Subaru Legacy?
The most common MOT fault is “Position lamp: not working”, found in 6.4% of tests. It fails on exhaust and emissions more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the Subaru Legacy do?
Official economy for the Subaru Legacy ranges from 23 to 50.4mpg across the 118 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2013). A typical petrol version manages 33.6mpg and a typical diesel 47.9mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Subaru Legacy?
Any Subaru Legacy first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Subaru Legacy registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £225 to £790 a year.
›How many Subaru Legacys fail their MOT?
37.2% of Subaru Legacys aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Subaru Legacy combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.