2009 Subaru Legacy · 1,434 MOT tests
2009 Subaru Legacy reliability
2009 Subaru Legacys fail 36.5% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 8 Legacy years (1,434 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Legacys: 36.7%)
- 36.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Legacys: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 102,480
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,434
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2009 against the years either side
- 2008 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does better)
- 2010 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 7% of tests fail here (29% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 62% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2009 car carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
Common problems
What fails on a 2009 Subaru Legacy
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.7%
- Suspension13.7%
- Brakes8.9%
- Tyres7.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7%
- Body, chassis and structure5.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.44%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 3.35%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 2.86%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.65%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.65%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.51%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (17.57%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.67%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.21%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.14%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.79%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (6.97%)
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 2009 Subaru Legacy reliable?
2009 Subaru Legacys fail 36.5% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 8 Legacy years (1,434 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2009 Subaru Legacy MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.44% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.35% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn (2.86% of tests).
How many miles should a 2009 Subaru Legacy have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2009 Subaru Legacy shows 102,480 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2009 car?
A car first registered in 2009 carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
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