1999 Subaru Legacy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 538 MOT tests, the 1999 Subaru Legacy recorded a 74.0% pass rate. That is 1.6 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and suspension (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.6% in the 30-60k band and 34.9% in the 150k+ band, a 16.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.8% in 2021 to 20.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 76 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 72 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.4% | 45 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.0% | 43 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 39 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 40 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 38 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 32 |
| 5 | Wipers | 31 |
| 6 | Washers | 27 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 41.8% | 225 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.7% | 160 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 29.0% | 156 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.4% | 115 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.6% | 111 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 97 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 43 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 116 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 144 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 130 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 103 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 151 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 117 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 101 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 92 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 77 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Legacy
On a 1999 Legacy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Subaru Legacys pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 538 1999 Subaru Legacy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Subaru Legacy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 1999 Legacy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 30-60k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 538 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.