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Common problems by part

Subaru Legacy windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 2,268 MOT tests · Updated

At 18 years, 6.0 in 100 MOT tests of the Subaru Legacy failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 7.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 2,268 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 137 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 9 ages from 12 to 20 years, 16,488 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Wipers not clearing screen, 2.0 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

6.0 fails per 100 MOT tests at 18 years, against 7.3 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 18 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

Subaru Legacy windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails by age

Subaru Legacy windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Subaru Legacy. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.0512 years: 4.8 per 100 (all cars 5.2), 1,449 MOT tests1213 years: 3.9 per 100 (all cars 5.6), 1,695 MOT tests1314 years: 4.7 per 100 (all cars 6.1), 1,778 MOT tests1415 years: 5.1 per 100 (all cars 6.5), 1,734 MOT tests1516 years: 5.9 per 100 (all cars 6.8), 2,033 MOT tests1617 years: 5.5 per 100 (all cars 7.1), 2,256 MOT tests1718 years: 6.0 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 2,268 MOT tests1819 years: 7.2 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 1,895 MOT tests1920 years: 6.7 per 100 (all cars 7.6), 1,380 MOT tests20
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Subaru Legacy All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
121,4494.85.2
131,6953.95.6
141,7784.76.1
151,7345.16.5
162,0335.96.8
172,2565.57.1
182,2686.07.3
19*1,8957.27.5
20*1,3806.77.6

All first-use years of the Subaru Legacy pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the windscreen, wipers and mirrors at 18 years

Fails

  • Wipers not clearing screen: 2.0 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 3.0. Replace wiper blade: estimated £15–£30 (0.1–0.2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £7–£14) Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively MOT fail
  • Washers: not working: 1.9 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.3. Repair washer system (pump, jet or pipe): estimated £28–£118 (0.3–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £5–£40) Windscreen washer not working MOT fail
  • Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid: 1.7 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 2.3. Top up screenwash: estimated £2–£14 (0–0.1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £2–£6) Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Replace wiper blade cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

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How to check on a test drive

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view.

Check one Subaru Legacy, not the average

The figures here describe Subaru Legacy cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Subaru Legacy problems

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Subaru Legacy have more windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems than other cars?

6.0 in 100 MOT tests at 18 years, against 7.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 2,268 MOT tests).

How common are Subaru Legacy windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems?

6.0 in 100 MOT tests at 18 years failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 7.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 2,268 MOT tests).

What is the most common Subaru Legacy windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail?

2.0 in 100 MOT tests at 18 years: Wipers not clearing screen (46 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 16,488 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare