2004 Subaru Legacy · 1,777 MOT tests
2004 Subaru Legacy reliability
2004 Subaru Legacys fail 41.5% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 8 Legacy years (1,777 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Legacys: 36.7%)
- 41.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Legacys: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 119,421
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,777
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 10.9% of tests fail here (40% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 76% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Subaru Legacy
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.9%
- Suspension18.9%
- Brakes11.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.9%
- Body, chassis and structure8.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.7%
- Tyres6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 4.61%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.94%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 3.55%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.43%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.21%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 2.81%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (17.45%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.1%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.9%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (9.62%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (8.1%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.99%)
Other years
Every Subaru Legacy year
The full picture: Subaru Legacy reliability. Before you pay for any Subaru Legacy, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Subaru Legacy reliable?
2004 Subaru Legacys fail 41.5% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 8 Legacy years (1,777 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Subaru Legacy MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (4.61% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.94% of tests), position lamp not working (3.55% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Subaru Legacy have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Subaru Legacy shows 119,421 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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