Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Pitak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: MichGe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: TTTNIS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
All-wheel-drive family car, rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP (2009) and offered as a saloon and an estate. The 2.0D boxer diesel is the risky version: crankshaft failures and DPF problems with oil dilution are widely reported. The 2.0i and 2.5i petrol versions with the Lineartronic gearbox are preferable; in all cases, check that the Takata airbag recall has been carried out.
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €3,000 – €10,000
- Monthly cost
- €352
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 2.0i Lineartronic, 2.5i Lineartronic.
2.0D 150 4x4
Diesel · Manual · 150 hp · 5.9 L/100 km · Crit'Air 3
2.0 boxer diesel with 350 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. The version most sensitive to crankshaft and DPF problems: maintenance history is essential.
2.0i Lineartronic
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 150 hp · 8.0 L/100 km · 185 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
2.0 boxer petrol with 196 Nm, Lineartronic continuously variable gearbox and steering-wheel paddles (Euro 5 standard).
2.5i Lineartronic
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 167 hp · 8.4 L/100 km · Crit'Air 2
2.5 boxer petrol with 167 hp (229 Nm), paired with the Lineartronic gearbox.
Market prices
€3,000 – €10,000
Indicative range: 2010 to 2013, 22,000 to 400,000 km, saloon and estate, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking.
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Crankshaft and bearing failure (2.0D boxer)
Severity 3/3 · SeriousThe 2.0D boxer diesel (EE20) is known for lower-engine failures (crankshaft, bearings), often sudden, reported mainly on Euro 4 engines and occasionally on Euro 5. The causes put forward vary (block design, bearing clearance, assembly); according to testimonies, Subaru has no official position. Repairs are expensive. Sources: specialist press articles and owners' forums.
- Versions
- 2.0D 150 4x4
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clogged DPF and fuel dilution of the oil (2.0D)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn the diesel Legacy, repeated regenerations of the particulate filter (short journeys) can let diesel get into the oil, which rises in level and thins out. Owners report a DPF warning light, loss of power and fault codes linked to the EGR. Some owners suggest a link with lower-engine wear, but no proof has been established.
- Versions
- 2.0D 150 4x4
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Takata passenger airbag (recall)
Manufacturer recallSubaru France cites the 2010-2014 Legacy in the worldwide Takata airbag recall (passenger airbag). The gas generator may be faulty and eject metal fragments. Only the serial number can tell whether the car is affected.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 2.0D 150 4x4, 2.0i Lineartronic, 2.5i Lineartronic
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Subaru Legacy”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €197 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €64 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €65 |
| Total per month | €352 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€197
2.0i Lineartronic version: combined consumption of 8 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
8 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €197
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€64
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€65
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Subaru Legacy V — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Diesel: demand the full oil change history (short intervals) and have the oil level and smell checked (diesel dilution).
- Diesel: listen to the lower engine when cold and at idle; a knocking noise or an oil pressure warning light is a warning sign.
- Have a Subaru dealer check with the serial number that the Takata airbag recall has been carried out.
- Test the Lineartronic gearbox (petrol): no slipping or jerking, paddles working.
- Check that the DPF has not been removed and the engine has not been remapped, and read the fault codes.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do you have all the service invoices, and at what intervals was the oil changed?
- Was the Takata airbag recall carried out? Can you prove it?
- Has the engine ever been opened or replaced, and has the DPF warning light ever come on?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ford Mondeo
IV · 2014–2022
- Price
- €8,000 – €15,200
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Superb
III · 2015–2024
- Price
- €13,700 – €36,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Passat
B8 · 2014–2023
- Price
- €10,000 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Subaru Legacy V (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Subaru Legacy V have good safety ratings?
Yes: it scored 5 stars at Euro NCAP in 2009 (adults 79%, children 73%, pedestrians 58%, safety assist 71%), with stability control and front, side and curtain airbags as standard.
Is the Legacy's 2.0D diesel reliable?
It is the weak point of the range: crankshaft failures in the boxer diesel are widely reported, as are DPF and oil dilution problems. The petrol versions are preferable.
What is the boot capacity of the Legacy V?
433 litres according to the L'Argus listing for the 2.0D saloon (and Caradisiac for the 2010 estate). Listings for the facelifted “Sport Club” version give 486 litres: figures vary by version.
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