1996 Subaru Impreza 2.0L Petrol · A29 SLW

The Subaru Impreza presents as roadworthy on its most recent test, passing cleanly on 23 January 2026 at 196,842 miles with no defects recorded. The maintenance trend is stable across the available history, with the vehicle clearing its latest examination without advisories and showing no escalating mechanical concerns. Recorded mileage sits at 196,842 against a 30-year lifespan, equating to roughly 6,561 miles per year which is typical for this age of vehicle. The records show a tight cluster of tests between 2022 and 2026, with only 1,062 miles added across that four-year span. A notable gap exists before 2022, as the history supplied begins at 195,780 miles in September 2022, leaving earlier accumulation undocumented. The low annual use in recent years suggests extended standing periods rather than daily driving. The two failure entries from 12 September 2022 and 15 September 2023 both list no defects recorded, indicating administrative or presentation failures rather than mechanical faults, with the vehicle passing on re-test the same day in 2023 and ten days later in 2022. No advisories for suspension bushes, brake discs, corrosion, or exhaust emissions appear across any test, which points to either conscientious upkeep or superficial testing standards. A buyer should still commission an in-person inspection of structural integrity and underbody rust given the 1996 build and 196,000-mile clock, focusing on subframe corrosion, coil spring condition, and drivetrain wear on the AWD system. The clean MOT trail offers reassurance but does not substitute for physical appraisal of consumable and structural components on a three-decade-old performance saloon.