Used car guide

2013 Subaru Impreza: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Subaru Impreza first registered in 2013: we looked at the 104 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 104 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

104MOTs of 2013 cars, done in 2023–2025
78%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%)
6,000typical miles a year
18%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2013 Subaru Impreza MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Subaru Impreza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    15% 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.

  • Suspension
    13% 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.

  • Brakes
    10% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Subaru Impreza

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

  1. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Subaru Impreza compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2020184Tyres 12%
2019586Tyres 25%
2018614Tyres 23%
2017368Tyres 22%
2016585Tyres 20%
2015674Tyres 20%
2014394Brakes 22%
2012206Tyres 9%
2011535Suspension 26%
20102,392Suspension 35%
20092,310Suspension 35%
20083,174Suspension 36%
20075,547Suspension 32%
20065,187Suspension 28%
20056,722Suspension 27%
20045,339Suspension 28%
20035,215Suspension 29%
20023,229Suspension 30%
20012,741Suspension 34%
20002,700Suspension 25%
19992,350Suspension 27%
19981,310Suspension 27%
1997767Suspension 27%
1996494Suspension 23%
1995322Suspension 21%
1994197Suspension 24%
1993–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Subaru Impreza cars first registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score