SUBARU LEGACY (1999)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 188 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,197
£183/month
MOT Pass Rate
78%
Average
Road Tax
£315
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 18-32
1994cc Petrol
Check Carefully
78% pass rate, £2197/year to run. Close to the national average.
Check a specific SUBARU LEGACY
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Based on 1994cc
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this SUBARU LEGACY
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUBARU brand average of 83%.
At 27 years old, 78% of SUBARU LEGACYs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 188 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 114,342 miles.
Got a SUBARU LEGACY you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
114,342
Average miles
199,800
Expected for age
The average 1999 SUBARU LEGACY has 114,342 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific SUBARU LEGACY?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
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%. The 1999 sits between the two at 78%.
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
Check a Specific Subaru Legacy
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 1999 SUBARU LEGACY
The 1999 SUBARU LEGACY is a family car with a 1994cc petrol engine. 188 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 114,342 miles at 27 years old, SUBARU LEGACY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
1999 SUBARU LEGACY Fuel Costs
The 1994cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 1999 SUBARU LEGACY?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
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 1999 SUBARU LEGACY
At 27 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 87%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 1999 SUBARU LEGACY's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Timing Chain / Belt
Watch outAt 27 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.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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
Watch outWith an average of 114k 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 riskHigh-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 1999 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(1999) | 78% | £1327 | £315 | Grp 18-32 | £2197 |
| FORD FOCUS(2001) | 68% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £2027-£170 |
| MAZDA MX-5(1999) | 73% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827-£370 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999) | 71% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2017-£180 |
| HONDA CIVIC(2001) | 70% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1827-£370 |
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.
Related Subaru Models
Explore other Subaru cars or similar models in the same category.
SUBARU IMPREZA
2005 · 1994cc Petrol
SUBARU FORESTER
2014 · 1998cc Petrol
SUBARU XV
2018 · 1995cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2001 · 1596cc Petrol
MAZDA MX-5
1999 · 1600cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
1999 · 1781cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Subaru Legacy.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific SUBARU LEGACY
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a SUBARU LEGACY? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data