Used car guide

2008 Subaru Impreza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Subaru Imprezas, from 960 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

960MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,700typical miles a year
6.1×the usual rate for anti-roll bar bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Subaru Imprezas than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints6.1× usual
    Subaru Impreza
    6.1% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.4× usual
    Subaru Impreza
    7.5% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.9% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Coil springs: 4.4% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Subaru Impreza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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.

  • 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
    21% 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.

  • Brakes
    21% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Subaru Impreza?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010729Suspension 37%
2009711Suspension 37%
20071,685Suspension 34%
20061,614Suspension 29%
20052,136Suspension 28%
20041,684Suspension 27%
20031,604Suspension 30%
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 2008 Subaru Imprezas registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score