2005 Subaru Legacy MOT pass rate: 68.8% (1,601 tests)
Is the 2005 Legacy getting worse?
Pass rate of 2005-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 68.9% +4.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 66.3% +2.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 71.8% +6.5 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2005 Legacy
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 423 | 26.0% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 360 | 22.1% |
| 3 | Brakes | 229 | 14.1% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 196 | 12.1% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 176 | 10.8% |
| 6 | Tyres | 105 | 6.5% |
All Legacy years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 (this page) | 1,601 | 68.8% | +4.3 pts | 120,946 |
| 2006 | 1,775 | 67.1% | +2.7 pts | 115,766 |
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FAQs
Is a 2005 Subaru Legacy reliable?
2005-registered examples passed 68.8% of their MOT tests (1,601 tests, 2023–2025), +4.3 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 21 years old with a median 120,946 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2005 Legacy?
The median tested example shows 120,946 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.