2006 Subaru Legacy — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Subaru Legacy passed 73.8% of its 4,244 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.8%) and suspension (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 305 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 0-30k band and 30.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 671 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 545 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 393 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 300 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.6% | 282 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 230 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 305 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 283 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 278 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 223 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 214 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 210 |
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 | 45.2% | 1,917 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.9% | 1,182 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 925 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 783 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 639 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 395 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 30 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 200 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 782 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,329 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,122 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 773 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,029 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 964 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 883 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 754 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 614 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Legacy
On a 2006 Legacy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (9.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2006 Subaru Legacys pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 4,244 2006 Subaru Legacy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Subaru Legacy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2006 Legacy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,244 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.