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Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD car check

Is the Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD reliable? We analysed 2,029 real MOT tests across 461 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,029 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.0%
Typical Mileage
115,951mi
Annual Mileage
6,856mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
33yrs

The Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, brake pipe excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD.

Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

67.3%
1996
64.6%
1995
61.1%
1994
63.2%
1993

Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

constant velocity joint gaiter split 187
Brake pipe excessively corroded 180
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 171
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 107
Registration plate lamp not working 97
Headlamp aim too high 94
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 87
position lamp(s) not working 78
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 70
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 59

Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,266 mi/yr
Typical
6,856 mi/yr
Average
7,737 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,365 mi/yr

Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 407 67.3% 94,189 116,158 134,755
1995 432 64.6% 93,733 109,997 129,415
1994 475 61.1% 97,688 115,145 136,716
1993 505 63.2% 103,384 131,970 152,267

How Long Does a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD Last?

Based on 461 Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.0 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
33 years

Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
115,951 mi
75th Percentile
139,064 mi
95th Percentile
180,631 mi
Max Recorded
898,471 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD

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

Best year
1996

67.3% MOT pass rate from 407 tests

Year to avoid
1994

61.1% MOT pass rate from 475 tests

The best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.3% across 407 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.1% — 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 4WD 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 4WD THIS CAR 65.0% 2,029 115,951 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
Suzuki Uk 110 Ne L6 83.1% 2,710 10,159 mi 10 yrs

Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD?

The Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.0% across 2,029 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD are constant velocity joint gaiter split (187 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (180), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (171). 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 4WD owner drives around 6,856 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 4WD 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 4WD — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD reliable?
Based on 2,029 MOT tests, the Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD has a 65.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint gaiter split, brake pipe excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD do per year?
The typical Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD does around 6,856 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD last?
Most Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD models stay on UK roads for around 33 years based on our analysis of 461 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD?
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 4WD?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Gl 4WD is 1996 with a 67.3% pass rate across 407 tests.