Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Subaru Impreza?

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 2018 Subaru Impreza?

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 2018 Subaru Impreza?

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 2018 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Based on MOT data from 189 vehicles, the 2018 Subaru Impreza has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 Subaru Impreza?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 Subaru Impreza are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (32.8% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (29% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (27.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Subaru Impreza?

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 (2018)

189 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92% first-time pass rate

2018 Subaru Impreza

CarHunch analysed 189 real MOT records for the 2018 Subaru Impreza. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2018 Subaru Impreza is a notably reliable prospect, passing its first MOT 92% of the time against the UK average of 80%—a 12-point advantage that puts it well above most rivals in its class. Dangerous defects are present in 15.9% of vehicles, which is manageable and not a major red flag, so structural safety concerns aren't a pressing worry for this generation.

At 27,734 miles median, these cars are running relatively light for six-year-old examples, suggesting they're being looked after reasonably well. With only 0.51 average failures per vehicle but 4.3 advisories, owners should expect minor wear items like brake pads or fluid top-ups rather than serious breakdowns—if you're considering one, a pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension and exhaust health will give you confidence it'll sail through its next MOT.

We have limited data for the 2018 Subaru Impreza — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

92%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

15.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.51

Over 5.4 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

28k

Middle half: 19k–39k

For context

These stats describe 189 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?

What tends to go wrong

Across 189 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 32.8%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 25.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 10.4%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 189 Subaru Impreza cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Subaru Impreza

Based on MOT data from 189 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.9% 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 (99%)	188	92%	0.52

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Subaru Impreza 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.

27,734

typical

19,344

low mileage

38,960

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Subaru Impreza vehicles fall between 19,344 and 38,960 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 19,344 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.

✓ 19,344–38,960 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Subaru Imprezas sit.

⚠ Over 52,596 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Subaru Impreza — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Subaru Imprezas are still on the road.

Strong survival — 178 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* 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

5.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.51

Avg failures per vehicle

4.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Subaru Impreza stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?