Subaru Impreza Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Impreza car check
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable? We analysed 915,729 real MOT tests across 72,693 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Impreza? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Impreza is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, registration plate lamp not working and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Impreza.
Subaru Impreza Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Impreza. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Impreza MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Impreza to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Impreza Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Impreza fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Impreza Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Impreza owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Impreza MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Impreza year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 178 | 86.0% | 83,299 | 111,164 | 144,944 |
| 2020 | 436 | 87.6% | 66,940 | 98,958 | 127,337 |
| 2019 | 1,180 | 86.3% | 22,892 | 44,444 | 92,190 |
| 2018 | 1,399 | 89.8% | 20,249 | 34,538 | 70,360 |
| 2017 | 1,060 | 89.1% | 27,326 | 54,944 | 90,489 |
| 2016 | 1,941 | 87.2% | 27,646 | 54,880 | 102,440 |
| 2015 | 2,348 | 86.1% | 30,131 | 50,916 | 81,633 |
| 2014 | 1,541 | 85.1% | 28,218 | 46,915 | 73,427 |
| 2013 | 457 | 81.6% | 47,054 | 71,108 | 96,938 |
| 2012 | 762 | 84.6% | 30,266 | 60,867 | 98,541 |
| 2011 | 2,797 | 82.0% | 37,254 | 59,457 | 88,155 |
| 2010 | 15,944 | 81.5% | 39,596 | 61,898 | 87,317 |
| 2009 | 17,659 | 80.8% | 40,418 | 62,957 | 88,899 |
| 2008 | 29,488 | 79.7% | 45,418 | 69,215 | 95,056 |
| 2007 | 57,179 | 78.2% | 41,814 | 65,405 | 92,115 |
| 2006 | 61,546 | 77.9% | 44,882 | 69,451 | 96,380 |
| 2005 | 80,580 | 77.9% | 47,857 | 73,342 | 101,700 |
| 2004 | 77,643 | 77.7% | 49,556 | 74,978 | 102,357 |
| 2003 | 98,689 | 76.9% | 51,187 | 76,183 | 102,755 |
| 2002 | 79,824 | 75.7% | 54,544 | 78,101 | 103,446 |
How Long Does a Subaru Impreza Last?
Based on 72,693 Subaru Impreza vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Impreza Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Impreza MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Impreza
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.8% MOT pass rate from 1,399 tests
68.2% MOT pass rate from 6,111 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.8% across 1,399 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Impreza Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza THIS CAR | 75.7% | 915,729 | 83,083 mi | 33 yrs |
| Subaru Forester | 76.1% | 456,470 | 85,220 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Legacy | 72.5% | 349,986 | 96,000 mi | 35 yrs |
| Subaru Outback | 78.2% | 130,193 | 78,217 mi | 23 yrs |
| Iveco Daily | 67.4% | 817,098 | 110,012 mi | 30 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate) and the Subaru Legacy (72.5% pass rate), the Subaru Impreza sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Impreza you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Subaru ImprezaShould you buy a used Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.7% across 915,729 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Subaru Impreza are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (28,062 recorded failures), registration plate lamp not working (19,494), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (17,247). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Subaru Impreza owner drives around 4,996 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Subaru Impreza models stay on UK roads for around 33 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.