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Subaru Impreza Gl Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Subaru Impreza Gl car check

Is the Subaru Impreza Gl reliable? We analysed 1,738 real MOT tests across 325 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,738 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.0%
Typical Mileage
96,600mi
Annual Mileage
4,506mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
33yrs

The Subaru Impreza Gl is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive and exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Impreza Gl.

Subaru Impreza Gl Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Subaru Impreza Gl. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Subaru Impreza Gl MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Subaru Impreza Gl to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.8%
2005
70.6%
2004
84.8%
2003
71.8%
2002
68.7%
2000
73.3%
1999
79.2%
1998
67.6%
1996
64.6%
1995
61.9%
1994
71.1%
1993

Subaru Impreza Gl Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Subaru Impreza Gl fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 93
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 73
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 70
constant velocity joint gaiter split 68
fog lamp not working 54
Brake pipe excessively corroded 46
Registration plate lamp not working 41
Headlamp aim too low 38
Steering rack gaiter split 37
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 37

Subaru Impreza Gl Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Subaru Impreza Gl owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,272 mi/yr
Typical
4,506 mi/yr
Average
6,182 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,639 mi/yr

Subaru Impreza Gl MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Impreza Gl year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 164 87.8% 62,944 91,754 113,089
2004 68 70.6% 79,412 97,804 106,456
2003 79 84.8% 59,713 80,247 114,998
2002 103 71.8% 65,793 82,351 90,315
2000 99 68.7% 80,976 95,695 105,929
1999 90 73.3% 59,864 75,368 124,828
1998 149 79.2% 49,912 69,255 109,150
1996 74 67.6% 74,991 86,158 101,384
1995 378 64.6% 94,538 112,857 136,017
1994 202 61.9% 80,562 103,344 133,427
1993 76 71.1% 57,700 105,059 150,056

How Long Does a Subaru Impreza Gl Last?

Based on 325 Subaru Impreza Gl vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.2 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
33 years

Subaru Impreza Gl Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Impreza Gl MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
96,600 mi
75th Percentile
120,438 mi
95th Percentile
175,443 mi
Max Recorded
732,311 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Impreza Gl

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2005

87.8% MOT pass rate from 164 tests

Year to avoid
1994

61.9% MOT pass rate from 202 tests

The best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Gl is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.8% across 164 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.9% — 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 Gl Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Subaru Impreza Gl THIS CAR 72.0% 1,738 96,600 mi 33 yrs
Subaru Impreza 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
Ford Transit 350 Leader Ecoblue AWD 83.2% 1,583 49,294 mi — yrs

Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Impreza Gl trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Subaru Impreza Gl?

The Subaru Impreza Gl has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.0% across 1,738 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Subaru Impreza Gl are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (93 recorded failures), exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (73), and exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (70). 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 Gl owner drives around 4,506 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 Gl 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.

Subaru Impreza Gl — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Subaru Impreza Gl reliable?
Based on 1,738 MOT tests, the Subaru Impreza Gl has a 72.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Subaru Impreza Gl?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, and exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Subaru Impreza Gl do per year?
The typical Subaru Impreza Gl does around 4,506 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Subaru Impreza Gl last?
Most Subaru Impreza Gl models stay on UK roads for around 33 years based on our analysis of 325 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Subaru Impreza Gl?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Subaru Impreza Gl?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Gl is 2005 with a 87.8% pass rate across 164 tests.