Subaru Imprezza Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Imprezza car check
Is the Subaru Imprezza reliable? We analysed 1,159 real MOT tests across 117 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Imprezza? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Imprezza is about 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 Imprezza.
Subaru Imprezza Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Imprezza. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Imprezza MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Imprezza to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Imprezza Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Imprezza fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Imprezza Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Imprezza owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Imprezza MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Imprezza year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 59 | 72.9% | 75,041 | 100,407 | 123,268 |
| 2005 | 122 | 77.0% | 40,890 | 88,788 | 94,531 |
| 2004 | 90 | 72.2% | 59,218 | 70,727 | 122,645 |
| 2003 | 112 | 75.9% | 66,464 | 93,835 | 112,299 |
| 2002 | 74 | 73.0% | 80,673 | 104,036 | 125,625 |
| 2000 | 142 | 69.7% | 60,709 | 82,952 | 106,668 |
| 1999 | 101 | 73.3% | 74,566 | 90,542 | 105,206 |
| 1998 | 89 | 68.5% | 87,224 | 110,662 | 146,488 |
| 1993 | 88 | 72.7% | 95,200 | 122,605 | 141,543 |
How Long Does a Subaru Imprezza Last?
Based on 117 Subaru Imprezza vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Imprezza Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Imprezza 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 Imprezza
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.0% MOT pass rate from 122 tests
68.5% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Imprezza is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.0% across 122 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Imprezza Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Imprezza THIS CAR | 73.2% | 1,159 | 95,010 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 |
| Seat Ateca SE Ecomotive TSI | 95.1% | 555 | 51,344 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Imprezza trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Imprezza 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 ImprezzaShould you buy a used Subaru Imprezza?
The Subaru Imprezza has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.2% across 1,159 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru Imprezza are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (48 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (46), and fog lamp not working (38). 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 Imprezza owner drives around 3,988 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 Imprezza 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.