SUBARU IMPREZA (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 82 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,887
£157/month
MOT Pass Rate
72%
Average
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1600cc Petrol
Check Carefully
72% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 10 points below average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
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
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUBARU brand average of 83%.
At 5 years old, 72% of SUBARU IMPREZAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 82 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 74,592 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
74,592
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA has 74,592 miles on the clock, which is well above the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.
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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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.
SUBARU IMPREZA by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72% | 82 | 74,592 mi | |
| 2020 | 91% | 128 | 75,896 mi | |
| 2019 | 90% | 343 | 53,725 mi | |
| 2018 | 91% | 329 | 44,855 mi | |
| 2017 | 91% | 210 | 60,514 mi | |
| 2016 | 92% | 325 | 62,451 mi | |
| 2015 | 88% | 346 | 66,732 mi | |
| 2014 | 84% | 234 | 65,423 mi | |
| 2013 | 90% | 134 | 77,231 mi | |
| 2012 | 88% | 154 | 64,127 mi | |
| 2011 | 84% | 417 | 77,422 mi | |
| 2010 | 85% | 1,591 | 88,108 mi | |
| 2009 | 83% | 1,498 | 88,078 mi | |
| 2008 | 81% | 1,984 | 95,457 mi | |
| 2007 | 81% | 3,447 | 94,086 mi | |
| 2006 | 82% | 3,346 | 99,363 mi | |
| 2005 | 82% | 4,111 | 104,834 mi | |
| 2004 | 84% | 3,460 | 104,585 mi | |
| 2003 | 82% | 3,280 | 108,355 mi | |
| 2002 | 84% | 1,991 | 109,552 mi | |
| 2001 | 82% | 1,688 | 113,881 mi | |
| 2000 | 83% | 1,600 | 107,364 mi | |
| 1999 | 83% | 2,069 | 110,144 mi | |
| 1998 | 84% | 1,185 | 107,969 mi | |
| 1997 | 83% | 731 | 102,415 mi | |
| 1996 | 85% | 347 | 111,892 mi | |
| 1995 | 87% | 209 | 102,719 mi | |
| 1994 | 81% | 124 | 113,726 mi | |
| 1993 | 86% | 36 | 92,697 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA
The 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA is a small family car with a 1600cc petrol engine. 82 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 100% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 74,592 miles at 5 years old, SUBARU IMPREZA owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.
2021 SUBARU IMPREZA Fuel Costs
The 1600cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% 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 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA
At 5 years old, the SUBARU IMPREZA offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. Note: with only 82 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUBARU IMPREZA(2021) | 72% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1887 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£305 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732-£155 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£305 |
| MINI COOPER(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£305 |
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.
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2015 · 2500cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2020 · 1598cc Petrol
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