2005 Subaru Legacy · 2,134 MOT tests
2005 Subaru Legacy reliability
2005 Subaru Legacys fail 38.5% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 8 Legacy years (2,134 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Legacys: 36.7%)
- 38.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Legacys: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 119,183
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,134
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 8.2% of tests fail here (11% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 75% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Subaru Legacy
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.8%
- Suspension15.4%
- Brakes10.1%
- Body, chassis and structure9.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%
- Tyres5.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 4.12%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 4.08%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.03%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.37%
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 2.95%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.95%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (16.21%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.59%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.47%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.47%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (8.67%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (7.97%)
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 2005 Subaru Legacy reliable?
2005 Subaru Legacys fail 38.5% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 8 Legacy years (2,134 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Subaru Legacy MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (4.12% of tests), position lamp not working (4.08% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.03% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Subaru Legacy have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Subaru Legacy shows 119,183 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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