Used car guide

2008 Subaru Legacy: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Subaru Legacys, from 325 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 325 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

325MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Subaru Legacys than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Subaru Legacy
    26.2% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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 link joints4.1× usual
    Subaru Legacy
    17.2% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints12× usual
    Subaru Legacy
    12% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Subaru Legacy
    17.2% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

By area

The share of 2008 Subaru Legacy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% 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
    30% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Looking at a Subaru Legacy?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013174Suspension 39%
2012248Suspension 33%
2011423Suspension 42%
2010408Suspension 47%
2009362Suspension 50%
2007417Suspension 45%
2006513Suspension 50%
2005462Suspension 49%
2004380Suspension 50%
2003196Suspension 52%
2002111Suspension 44%
2001105Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Subaru Legacys registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score