What are the most common problems with a Subaru Impreza?

At MOT, exhaust emissions (catalyst) and anti-roll bar bushes and joints are flagged more often than on other cars the same age.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used Subaru Impreza?

Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Subaru Impreza as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 9× as often on the Subaru Impreza as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Subaru Impreza as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide · 1993–2026

Subaru Impreza common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Subaru Impreza, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 54,246 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1993 Subaru Impreza

Too few Subaru Impreza cars first registered in 1993 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Subaru Impreza as a whole.

34on the UK register at the end of 2025

Petrolfuel type

What to check on a 1993 car

MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

What usually goes wrong with a Subaru Impreza?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Subaru Impreza in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Subaru Impreza MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

Anti-roll bar bushes and joints
up to 8.7× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

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)
up to 4.2× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

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

At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.
Transmission oil leaks
up to 2.4× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Subaru Impreza MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 Subaru Impreza did best (74% passed first time, 17 points above all 2005 cars) and the 2019 did worst (83%, 2 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	MOT tests
2020	86%	87% -1	184 (small sample)
2019	83%	85% -2	586
2018	88%	83% +5	614
2017	88%	80% +8	368 (small sample)
2016	85%	77% +8	585
2015	82%	74% +8	674
2014	75%	70% +5	394 (small sample)
2013	78%	67% +11	104 (small sample)
2012	88%	64% +24	206 (small sample)
2011	75%	62% +13	535
2010	74%	60% +14	2,392
2009	74%	59% +15	2,310
2008	72%	57% +15	3,174
2007	71%	57% +14	5,547
2006	72%	56% +16	5,187
2005	74%	57% +17	6,722
2004	75%	57% +18	5,339
2003	73%	57% +16	5,215
2002	73%	58% +15	3,229
2001	72%	60% +12	2,741
2000	76%	61% +15	2,700
1999	77%	63% +14	2,350
1998	78%	65% +13	1,310
1997	75%	65% +10	767
1996	78%	66% +12	494 (small sample)
1995	80%	67% +13	322 (small sample)
1994	74%	67% +7	197 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Subaru Impreza

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Subaru Impreza as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 9× as often on the Subaru Impreza as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Subaru Impreza as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Subaru Impreza?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score