Used car guide

2003 Subaru Impreza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Subaru Imprezas, from 1,604 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,604MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,900typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Subaru Imprezas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.9× usual
    Subaru Impreza
    5.6% All 2003 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints2.1× usual
    Subaru Impreza
    3.7% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6.2% here, against 16.2% of all 2003 cars. Coil springs: 2.9% here, against 10.5% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Subaru Impreza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    30% 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
    13% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    10% 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.

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%
20021,000Suspension 30%
2001818Suspension 33%
2000860Suspension 25%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Subaru Imprezas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score