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Subaru Impreza reliability by build year

Coverage 2007-present3 named generationsHatchbackPETROL

We've only got 208 MOT tests for Subaru Imprezas built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Subaru Impreza built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Subaru Imprezas built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Subaru Impreza by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Subaru Impreza's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Impreza's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Impreza Mk5 (GT/GK)

Mk5 (GT/GK) (2017-present)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

11.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Likely between 7.9% and 16.6%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 208 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk4 (GP/GJ) (2012-2016)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

16.0% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Likely between 11.8% and 21.4%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 225 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk3 (GE/GH) (2007-2011)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

23.9% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Likely between 20.3% and 27.9%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 481 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

19.9% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,760 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Subaru Impreza.

See every build year for the Subaru Impreza

Side-by-side

Subaru Impreza generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (GT/GK) (2017-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate11.5%likely between 7.9% and 16.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 208 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (GP/GJ) (2012-2016)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate16.0%likely between 11.8% and 21.4%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 225 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (GE/GH) (2007-2011)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate23.9%likely between 20.3% and 27.9%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 481 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating19.9%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 2,760 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Impreza, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Subaru Impreza fail rate by age

This chart combines every Subaru Impreza ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
5315.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8011.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
25717.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
20811.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
15514.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
22516.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
24420.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
10816.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5414.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
14615.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
48123.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
92921.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
78121.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,72723.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,01822.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,25621.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,23420.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,98420.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,61923.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
98521.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,00321.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,76019.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 14 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Subaru Imprezas

These issues come from 7-year-old Subaru Imprezas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    13.5%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 2 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.5%
    Advisory: 37Fail: 2 (5% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.2%
    Advisory: 29Fail: 3 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    6.7%
    Advisory: 25Fail: 1 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    4.8%
    Advisory: 12Fail: 1 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 208 MOT tests on 7-year-old Subaru Imprezas, every generation combined.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Subaru Impreza.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

14 recalls in all

11 of the 14 Subaru Impreza recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Airbag may not deploy
  • Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • The electronic park brake connector may disconnect

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Impreza on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Impreza on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Impreza on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Impreza on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Subaru Impreza across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 208 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Subaru Impreza ever sold: 20,307 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 208 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.