2012 Subaru Legacy: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Subaru Legacys, from 248 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 248 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2012 Subaru Legacy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension33% 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 electrics31% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres27% 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.
- Brakes26% 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 emissions11% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 174 | Suspension 39% |
| 2011 | 423 | Suspension 42% |
| 2010 | 408 | Suspension 47% |
| 2009 | 362 | Suspension 50% |
| 2008 | 325 | Suspension 59% |
| 2007 | 417 | Suspension 45% |
| 2006 | 513 | Suspension 50% |
| 2005 | 462 | Suspension 49% |
| 2004 | 380 | Suspension 50% |
| 2003 | 196 | Suspension 52% |
| 2002 | 111 | Suspension 44% |
| 2001 | 105 | Suspension 40% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Subaru Legacys registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score