Used car guide

2001 Subaru Impreza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Subaru Imprezas, from 818 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

818MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for steering rack

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Subaru Imprezas than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Steering rack2.5× usual
    Subaru Impreza
    4.9% All 2001 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 8.3% here, against 17.2% of all 2001 cars. Coil springs: 4.4% here, against 9.8% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Subaru Impreza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% 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
    23% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    16% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Subaru Impreza?

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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%
2000860Suspension 25%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Subaru Imprezas registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score