At a Glance
The Subaru Impreza has 26 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the GC/GF (1993-2000) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 734K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Subaru Impreza common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Subaru Impreza generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Subaru Impreza Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
GC/GF
Top issue: Catalytic converter efficiency low
GD/GG
Top issue: Spark ignition emissions above threshold
GE/GH
Most common MOT failure: Spark ignition emissions above threshold
GP/GJ
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
GT/GK
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Subaru Impreza MOT Failures
Every reason Subaru Impreza vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.47% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.98% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.02% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.01% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 5.16% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 5.14% |
| 7 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 4.68% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.22% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 3.93% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.88% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.57% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.44% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 3.42% |
| 14 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.81% |
| 15 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.62% |
| 16 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.46% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.30% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.10% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.67% |
| 20 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.40% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.09% |
| 22 | Fog lamp not working | 0.98% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.98% |
| 24 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.97% |
| 25 | Horn not working | 0.87% |
| 26 | Steering rack fault | 0.79% |
| 27 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.78% |
| 28 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.69% |
| 29 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.69% |
| 30 | Chassis condition | 0.64% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.62% |
| 32 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.62% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.60% |
| 34 | Rear suspension fault | 0.59% |
| 35 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.52% |
| 36 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.49% |
| 37 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.43% |
| 38 | Parking brake condition | 0.41% |
| 39 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.37% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.34% |
| 41 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.34% |
| 42 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.33% |
| 43 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.32% |
| 44 | Airbag warning light on | 0.32% |
| 45 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.31% |
| 46 | Front suspension fault | 0.31% |
| 47 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.30% |
| 48 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.25% |
| 49 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.25% |
| 50 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.24% |
| 51 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.23% |
| 52 | Track rod end worn | 0.23% |
| 53 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 54 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.20% |
| 55 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.19% |
| 56 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 57 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.19% |
| 58 | Brake fluid leak | 0.19% |
| 59 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.16% |
| 60 | Brake pedal fault | 0.12% |
| 61 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.12% |
| 62 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 63 | Electrical switch fault | 0.12% |
| 64 | Brake caliper fault | 0.11% |
| 65 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.10% |
| 66 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 68 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 69 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 70 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 71 | Steering lock fault | 0.07% |
| 72 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 73 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.06% |
| 74 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 75 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 77 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 79 | CV joint worn | 0.05% |
| 80 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 81 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 83 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 85 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 88 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 89 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 90 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 94 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 95 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 101 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 105 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 107 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 113 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 114 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 115 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 116 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 122 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 137 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 140 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 141 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 147 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 179 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 180 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 182 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Subaru Impreza MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Subaru Impreza, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Subaru Impreza problems?
Based on analysis of 734K Subaru Impreza MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 26 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Subaru Impreza generation has the most problems?
The Subaru Impreza GC/GF (1993-2000) (1993–2000) has the highest number of identified common problems (22). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Subaru Impreza?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Subaru Impreza owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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