Subaru Impreza Wrx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Impreza Wrx car check
Is the Subaru Impreza Wrx reliable? We analysed 9,096 real MOT tests across 1,388 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Impreza Wrx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Impreza Wrx is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, fog lamp not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Impreza Wrx.
Subaru Impreza Wrx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Impreza Wrx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Impreza Wrx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Impreza Wrx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Impreza Wrx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Impreza Wrx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Impreza Wrx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Impreza Wrx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Impreza Wrx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Impreza Wrx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 140 | 75.0% | 76,247 | 98,324 | 118,625 |
| 2008 | 228 | 76.8% | 69,563 | 109,256 | 133,452 |
| 2007 | 731 | 75.9% | 67,719 | 99,212 | 125,282 |
| 2006 | 714 | 73.7% | 70,563 | 93,892 | 121,336 |
| 2005 | 570 | 73.9% | 73,304 | 104,568 | 130,264 |
| 2004 | 869 | 70.2% | 81,813 | 102,999 | 131,793 |
| 2003 | 621 | 71.8% | 73,908 | 96,851 | 120,783 |
| 2002 | 785 | 74.4% | 49,811 | 77,739 | 103,079 |
| 2001 | 740 | 76.9% | 55,077 | 79,283 | 105,114 |
| 2000 | 181 | 75.1% | 69,878 | 92,448 | 123,301 |
| 1999 | 150 | 74.0% | 76,064 | 96,157 | 134,211 |
| 1998 | 93 | 75.3% | 68,006 | 82,841 | 113,736 |
| 1997 | 163 | 74.8% | 78,120 | 102,843 | 142,180 |
| 1996 | 442 | 74.2% | 79,094 | 102,792 | 126,402 |
| 1995 | 832 | 70.1% | 86,135 | 102,103 | 124,469 |
| 1994 | 618 | 71.4% | 83,778 | 108,566 | 129,252 |
| 1993 | 434 | 69.6% | 81,412 | 109,574 | 135,791 |
How Long Does a Subaru Impreza Wrx Last?
Based on 1,388 Subaru Impreza Wrx vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Impreza Wrx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Impreza Wrx 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 Wrx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.9% MOT pass rate from 740 tests
69.6% MOT pass rate from 434 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Wrx is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.9% across 740 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — 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 Wrx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza Wrx THIS CAR | 73.4% | 9,096 | 96,555 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 |
| Yamaha FZ1 Fazer Abs | 91.1% | 4,216 | 17,742 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Impreza Wrx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Impreza Wrx 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 Impreza WrxShould you buy a used Subaru Impreza Wrx?
The Subaru Impreza Wrx has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.4% across 9,096 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru Impreza Wrx are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (377 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (326), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (322). 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 Wrx owner drives around 4,551 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 Wrx 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.