Subaru Legacy and Outback BM and BR buying guide

2009 to 2014. A BM or BR suits a buyer who wants a comfortable AWD sedan or wagon and checks the CVT and oil use.

Big jobs

CVT reverse delay, shudder and low speed hesitation. Reverse can take 4 seconds or more against the normal 1 to 2, and shudder under acceleration and hesitation below walking pace are warning signs. Subaru fixed it with fresh fluid and a control module reset.
Head gaskets. Older 2.5 engines were known for head gasket failure, said to be cured by 2009, but it is still worth checking.

2.5 oil consumption. The 2.5 can use about a litre every 2,000 km without a fault, and an engine that rattles at start up may have been run low.
Sunroof and paint. Look for bubbling round the sunroof, and sun can blister the clear coat on horizontal panels.
Headlights. Dull headlight reflectors can make the light output dangerously poor.
Underbody, bumper corners and beach use. Owners sometimes treat AWD as real 4WD, damaging bumper corners and sills, and Outbacks used at the beach can corrode.
Cold starting and manual gearbox. The engine should start quickly and idle smoothly however cold, and a manual should shift smoothly and quietly.

Touch screen. Touch screens can fail to load or need repeated harder presses.

Is it the 2.5 four, 3.6 six, 2.0 diesel or 2.5 GT turbo, and CVT, auto or manual?
Has the CVT had a fluid change and control module reset?
How much oil does it use?
Has it been used at the beach or off road?

Researched 2026-11-04. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.