Used car guide

2000 Subaru Impreza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Subaru Imprezas, from 860 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

860MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
4,200typical miles a year
25%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    25% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    19% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Tyres
    10% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    9% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010729Suspension 37%
2009711Suspension 37%
2008960Suspension 36%
20071,685Suspension 34%
20061,614Suspension 29%
20052,136Suspension 28%
20041,684Suspension 27%
20031,604Suspension 30%
20021,000Suspension 30%
2001818Suspension 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Subaru Imprezas registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score