Inspecting a used Subaru Legacy before you buy it

We cross-check the Subaru Legacy's service records against visible wear, fluid condition and the diagnostic data. Inconsistencies - like a low odometer paired with a heavily worn interior - are exactly what an inspection is meant to catch. A genuine, well-documented history is one of the strongest signs of a car worth buying.

A used Subaru Legacy can be a genuinely sound purchase, provided the few areas that typically cause expense have been checked rather than taken on trust. On a diesel the expensive items are the particulate filter, EGR, injectors and turbo, and a city-only history is exactly the pattern that wears them out early - so we read the regeneration data and look for it. If it is a petrol car, we listen for a stretched timing chain, check for oil leaks and consumption, and scan for misfires or fuel-trim faults that a short test drive would never reveal. Day-to-day cars also collect the small stuff - a slipping clutch, worn wiper linkages, a slow electrical fault - so we work through those less obvious items that add up over time. Even on a dependable make we still check the basics thoroughly - brakes, tyres, suspension and fluids - because 'reliable' refers to the engine, not to consumables that wear on every car. The purpose of listing them is not to discourage you from a Subaru Legacy; it is to make sure the one you buy has been checked against them by someone independent.

Where the seller permits and the car is road-legal and insured, we include a short road test of the Subaru Legacy. A drive lets us assess the gearbox, steering, brakes and any noises that only appear under load. Some faults simply don't show themselves with the car standing still, which is why we drive it whenever we're allowed to.

Of course. For the Subaru Legacy, mechanic to check used car simply means our standard onsite auto check, done on the spot and explained to you in clear English. Send us the listing and the location, and we'll book a time that suits you and the seller. The price is the same package price you see on this page.

You book in advance and pay for the Subaru Legacy inspection per our agreed terms, and there are no hidden add-ons. The price you see for the package is the price you pay. We confirm everything with you before the appointment, so there are no surprises on the day.

The report summarises the Subaru Legacy's condition system by system, lists any faults with their severity, notes the diagnostic results, and gives an overall verdict - all in English. The Digital Report Package also includes photos and video of anything important. You keep the document, so you can re-read it, share it, or use it to negotiate.