CarCostCheck

SUBARU IMPREZA (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,111 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1994cc21 years old4,111 tests105k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1994cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1994cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

82% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 21 years old, 82% of SUBARU IMPREZAs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,111 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,834 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars105th of 526(top 20%)
Rank among SUBARU models108th of 193(top 56%)
vs national average+0%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average+10%(72% avg)
vs SUBARU average-1%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,834

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA has 104,834 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2005 sits between the two at 82%.

SUBARU IMPREZA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202172%8274,592 mi
202091%12875,896 mi
201990%34353,725 mi
201891%32944,855 mi
201791%21060,514 mi
201692%32562,451 mi
201588%34666,732 mi
201484%23465,423 mi
201390%13477,231 mi
201288%15464,127 mi
201184%41777,422 mi
201085%1,59188,108 mi
200983%1,49888,078 mi
200881%1,98495,457 mi
200781%3,44794,086 mi
200682%3,34699,363 mi
200582%4,111104,834 mi
200484%3,460104,585 mi
200382%3,280108,355 mi
200284%1,991109,552 mi
200182%1,688113,881 mi
200083%1,600107,364 mi
199983%2,069110,144 mi
199884%1,185107,969 mi
199783%731102,415 mi
199685%347111,892 mi
199587%209102,719 mi
199481%124113,726 mi
199386%3692,697 mi

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About the 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA

The 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA is a family car with a 1994cc petrol engine. 4,111 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2005 cars for reliability.

With an average of 104,834 miles at 21 years old, SUBARU IMPREZA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 SUBARU IMPREZA Fuel Costs

The 1994cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SUBARU IMPREZA Reliability Trend

Newer SUBARU IMPREZAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA

At 21 years old, the SUBARU IMPREZA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 21 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 105k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SUBARU IMPREZA(2005)82%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
FORD FOCUS(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£180
MINI MINI(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
RENAULT CLIO(2007)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217+£170

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Subaru Models

Explore other Subaru cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Subaru Impreza.

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