2005 Subaru Legacy 2.0L Petrol · NT05 OCX

The most recent MOT on 2025-11-20 recorded a pass at 166,459 miles, but repeated issues with suspension ball joints and exhaust system defects were noted. The offside and nearside front suspension rod ball joints showed slight play, a defect also recorded in earlier MOTs. A minor exhaust gas leak was present, alongside a recurring issue with excessive carbon monoxide levels during emissions tests. These findings align with patterns seen in prior MOTs, indicating persistent mechanical concerns. A failure in the preceding MOT on 2025-11-15, just five days earlier, highlighted similar suspension and exhaust issues, alongside a defective rear windscreen wiper blade. The proximity of these two tests suggests the vehicle may have been retested after repairs, but the continued presence of defects implies unresolved underlying problems. The suspension ball joints and exhaust system have been flagged in multiple MOTs dating back to 2021, with no evidence of significant improvement. The trend shows stability in the types of defects but no clear reduction in severity. Suspension components like ball joints and bushings have consistently shown wear, while exhaust-related issues—particularly carbon monoxide emissions—have recurred across multiple tests. These patterns suggest gradual degradation rather than sudden failure, likely due to the vehicle’s age and mileage.