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Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti car check

Is the Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti reliable? We analysed 1,791 real MOT tests across 274 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,791 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.2%
Typical Mileage
101,224mi
Annual Mileage
2,574mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti.

Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti Number Plates

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

Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

75%
2009
79.6%
2008
76%
2007
79.9%
2006
88.8%
2005
80%
2000
81.9%
1998
70.6%
1997
75.2%
1996
77.9%
1995

Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 54
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 48
fog lamp not working 48
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 40
Steering rack gaiter split 38
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 33
fog lamp missing 29
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 24
Headlamp aim too high 23
Registration plate lamp not working 22

Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
917 mi/yr
Typical
2,574 mi/yr
Average
4,382 mi/yr
Heavy usage
5,791 mi/yr

Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2009 80 75.0% 96,991 120,954 162,655
2008 103 79.6% 82,382 116,755 153,314
2007 171 76.0% 78,894 111,598 138,411
2006 219 79.9% 61,106 107,328 133,880
2005 125 88.8% 35,887 51,156 96,328
2000 50 80.0% 69,296 91,612 110,486
1998 94 81.9% 77,352 102,002 120,270
1997 126 70.6% 76,747 99,696 122,908
1996 218 75.2% 91,528 109,208 123,082
1995 68 77.9% 84,515 122,637 147,317

How Long Does a Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti Last?

Based on 274 Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.8 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti Mileage Distribution

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

Median
101,224 mi
75th Percentile
127,785 mi
95th Percentile
172,865 mi
Max Recorded
1,201,621 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti

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

Best year
2005

88.8% MOT pass rate from 125 tests

Year to avoid
1997

70.6% MOT pass rate from 126 tests

The best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.8% across 125 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.6% — 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 Sti 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 Sti THIS CAR 79.2% 1,791 101,224 mi 31 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
Mercedes-benz Gla 180 AMG Line Premium Auto 89.5% 1,619 26,384 mi — yrs

Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti?

The Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.2% across 1,791 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 Wrx Sti are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (54 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (48), and fog lamp not working (48). 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 Sti owner drives around 2,574 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 Sti models stay on UK roads for around 31 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 Wrx Sti — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti reliable?
Based on 1,791 MOT tests, the Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti has a 79.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and fog lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti do per year?
The typical Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti does around 2,574 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti last?
Most Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 274 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti?
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 Wrx Sti?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti is 2005 with a 88.8% pass rate across 125 tests.