Subaru Impreza MOT Failures
An analysis of 373,350 real DVSA MOT tests on the Subaru Impreza — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GD (2000–2007), GH (2007–2012), GV (2012–2017), VA (2017–2024).
Where the Subaru Impreza fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Subaru Impreza is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 143 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 373,350 MOT tests, 2.2% of all Subaru Impreza tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (81x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (26x the fleet average), brake on any wheel grabbing severely (50x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (28x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Subaru Impreza's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Brakes, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a Subaru Impreza before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Subaru Impreza's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Subaru Impreza specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake on any wheel grabbing severely (50x the average) and structural corrosion (28x). seat mounting fault (24x) and emissions failure (22x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Subaru Impreza specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (81x the average) and airbag fault (78x). anti-roll bar links worn (49x) and exhaust system damage (19x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Subaru Impreza specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (63x the average) and emissions failure (59x). service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (17x) and exhaust system damage (17x) also appear frequently.
The shift from brake on any wheel grabbing severely at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Subaru Impreza specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Ringland failure (EJ) Dangerous
The ringland is the thin section of aluminium between the piston ring grooves on EJ25 engines. Affects GD, GE/GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,500–£4,000.
Timing belt service Dangerous
EJ engines use timing belts that must be replaced at 75,000 mile intervals or 5 years maximum. Affects GD, GE/GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.
Body structure corrosion Dangerous
MOT data shows structural corrosion failures at 27.9x the fleet average on this model, indicating significant issues with body integrity. Affects GD, GE/GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£2,000.
Head gasket failure Major
EJ series engines are notorious for head gasket failure due to the horizontally-opposed design creating uneven cylinder head loading and the use of composite gaskets that deteriorate over time. Affects GD, GE/GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Subaru Impreza common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Subaru Impreza
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Subaru Impreza:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage, structural corrosion. Brakes — check for brake on any wheel grabbing severely.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about ringland failure and timing belt service. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Subaru Impreza?
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Subaru Impreza MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru Impreza?
Based on 373,350 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 143x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and exhaust system damage.
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable based on MOT data?
The Subaru Impreza has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag ringland failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Subaru Impreza most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are brake on any wheel grabbing severely and structural corrosion.
How do I check a Subaru Impreza's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.