Subaru Legacy (1991)
1991 Subaru Legacy
CarHunch analysed 596 real MOT records for the 1991 Subaru Legacy. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Subaru Legacy passes its MOT just 72.9% of the time, noticeably below the UK average of 80%, which means nearly three in ten examples fail on their first attempt. The good news is that dangerous defects are uncommon at 8.7%, so safety isn't a widespread concern, though you should still budget for repairs when they do occur.
At nearly 127,000 miles on average, these cars are well-used for their age, and the data reflects that: expect around 1.2 failures and 3.4 advisories per test. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the most common failure points—fuel systems, emissions, and suspension components—since the first-time pass rate suggests these older Subarus need solid maintenance to stay road-legal.
What to check before buying a 1991 Subaru Legacy
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Subaru Legacy
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 592 | 72.8% | 1.2 |
| LPG (1%) | 3 | 85.2% | 1.33 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Subaru Legacy vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1991 Subaru Legacy vehicles fall between 99,850 and 154,582 miles.
1991 Subaru Legacy — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (34% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Subaru Legacy
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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17.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.3%
Oil leak
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12.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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10.1%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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9.2%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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8.7%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Subaru Legacy?
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