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Subaru Impreza Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Subaru Impreza (2000–present).

MOT Pass Rate

80.5%1.5% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 12,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

1.70%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

13.0%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

15.0%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

13.5%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

11.8%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

10.0%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

8.0%

Where Faults Occur

30.0%

Front

28.0%

Rear

20.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

22,000 mi

At 5 years

38,000 mi

At 10 years

72,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Subaru Impreza a Good Buy?

The Subaru Impreza demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 80.5% pass rate. This places it 1.5% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.

While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 15.0% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.

Subaru Impreza MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Subaru Impreza.

View Subaru Impreza MOT Data

Check a Specific Subaru Impreza

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Subaru Impreza.

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Other Subaru Models

Subaru Outback

82.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Subaru Forester

83.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Subaru XV

83.0%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Subaru BRZ

84.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Subaru Levorg

83.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Subaru models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Subaru Impreza?
The top MOT failure on the Subaru Impreza is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 15.0% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Subaru Impreza MOT pass rate?
The Subaru Impreza has an estimated MOT pass rate of 80.5%, which is 1.5% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Subaru Impreza as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Subaru Impreza has a good reliability record with a 80.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 1.70% and a retest rate of 13.0%.
How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Impreza MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Subaru Impreza MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Subaru Impreza have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Subaru Impreza covers approximately 22,000 mi by 3 years, 38,000 mi by 5 years, and 72,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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