Used car guide

2016 Subaru Impreza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Subaru Imprezas, from 195 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 195 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

195MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
6,300typical miles a year
18%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2016 Subaru Impreza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    18% 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
    17% 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.

  • Suspension
    17% 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
    11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    4% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019190Tyres 23%
2018200Tyres 24%
2017121Tyres 21%
2015218Suspension 20%
2014131Suspension 27%
2011179Suspension 25%
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%
2000860Suspension 25%
1999782Suspension 29%
1998431Suspension 26%
1997262Suspension 26%
1996166Suspension 22%
1995140Suspension 19%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Subaru Imprezas registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score