How much does a 1997 SUBARU LEGACY cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 SUBARU LEGACY?

The 1997 SUBARU LEGACY has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 75 tests in 2026. This ranks 255 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year SUBARU LEGACY is most reliable?

The 2016 SUBARU LEGACY has the highest MOT pass rate at 87%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 69%.

SUBARU LEGACY (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 SUBARU LEGACY?

The average mileage for a 1997 SUBARU LEGACY is 99,120 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 75 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2457cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol2457cc29 years old75 tests99k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2457cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2457cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,777

Per month£231/mo

Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUBARU brand average of 83%.

At 29 years old, 69% of SUBARU LEGACYs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 75 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,120 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars255th of 320(top 80%)

Rank among SUBARU models185th of 193(top 96%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-6%(75% avg)

vs SUBARU average-14%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,120

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 SUBARU LEGACY has 99,120 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 69%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

SUBARU LEGACY by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	44	93,450 mi
2020	81%	81	90,552 mi
2019	83%	105	101,880 mi
2018	87%	100	88,848 mi
2017	79%	111	109,813 mi
2016	87%	135	108,084 mi
2015	80%	50	119,462 mi
2014	82%	39	88,141 mi
2013	79%	357	95,003 mi
2012	77%	484	96,544 mi
2011	79%	814	104,678 mi
2010	75%	806	107,868 mi
2009	75%	715	109,288 mi
2008	73%	687	117,973 mi
2007	79%	803	113,943 mi
2006	75%	1,166	117,220 mi
2005	74%	1,035	120,853 mi
2004	70%	909	126,843 mi
2003	75%	403	112,036 mi
2002	76%	205	107,114 mi
2001	78%	268	110,058 mi
2000	71%	190	102,120 mi
1999	78%	188	114,342 mi
1998	71%	114	113,061 mi
1997	69%	75	99,120 mi
1996	84%	38	95,520 mi
1994	84%	38	131,142 mi
1993	94%	33	121,750 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-2%

BMW Z3

1998 · 2800cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

+8%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+9%

MERCEDES SLK

1999 · 2298cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

+10%

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About the 1997 SUBARU LEGACY

The 1997 SUBARU LEGACY is a large car with a 2457cc petrol engine. 75 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 80% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 99,120 miles at 29 years old, SUBARU LEGACY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 SUBARU LEGACY Fuel Costs

The 2457cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 SUBARU LEGACY?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SUBARU LEGACY Reliability Trend

Newer SUBARU LEGACYs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 SUBARU LEGACY

At 29 years old, the SUBARU LEGACY is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 75 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 SUBARU LEGACY's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 99k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 SUBARU LEGACY stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SUBARU LEGACY(1997)	69%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2777
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597-£180
BMW Z3(1998)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380
MERCEDES SLK(1999)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.