Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx reliable?

Based on MOT data from 236 vehicles, the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Subaru Impreza Wrx (2002)

236 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.8% first-time pass rate

2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx

CarHunch analysed 236 real MOT records for the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 236 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA (5,164 vehicles)

We have limited data for the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

79.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

3.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.65

Over 3.1 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

55k

Middle half: 40k–72k

For context

These stats describe 236 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 236 Subaru Impreza Wrx cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx

Based on MOT data from 236 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (84%)	199	80.7%	0.58

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,160 Subaru Impreza Wrx vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 35.6%

768

Blue 29.2%

631

Black 12.1%

262

White 11.3%

244

Red 6.8%

146

Grey 2.7%

Green 1.7%

Yellow 0.2%

Orange 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

54,655

typical

39,626

low mileage

72,474

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx vehicles fall between 39,626 and 72,474 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,626 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 39,626–72,474 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrxs sit.

⚠ Over 97,839 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 66% of 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrxs are still active.

19 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 — 66% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2024.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.65

Avg failures per vehicle

1.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Subaru Impreza Wrx: All Impreza Wrx years → Which year to buy? →

1993 1994 1995 1996 2001 2006

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Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?