2009 Subaru Impreza 1.5L Petrol · GU59 PZL

The 2009 Subaru Impreza passed its most recent MOT on 4 June 2026 at 52,979 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance pattern that is stable at best, with persistent minor faults rather than a clear improving trend. The tester flagged slight play in both front suspension arm ball joints and a severely deteriorated offside front anti-roll bar linkage dust cover, alongside a nail in the nearside rear tyre and a perishing offside front tyre. These are not new failures, but they indicate ongoing wear in ageing suspension components and a pattern of deferred minor repairs rather than proactive replacement. The mileage progression tells a story of very light use. Between the failed test on 5 June 2023 at 43,851 miles and the pass on 5 June 2025 at 49,340 miles, the car covered just 5,489 miles in two years, averaging roughly 2,745 miles annually. The jump from 49,340 miles in June 2025 to 52,979 miles by June 2026 represents 3,639 miles in one year, a modest increase but still well below the typical UK annual average. The record is clean with no gaps in testing continuity, and the low cumulative mileage suggests the car has spent extended periods stationary, which itself can accelerate rubber deterioration and localised corrosion. The 2023 failure is the most revealing entry in the history. Both rear coil springs were fractured, both rear shock absorbers were badly corroded with damaged casings, and the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage dust cover was severely deteriorated. The coil springs were clearly replaced before the retest the following day, but the recurring advisories on rear tyre condition across 2023, 2024, and 2025 suggest the rear axle has been a persistent weak point. The front suspension arm rear bushes have appeared as worn in three consecutive tests from 2024 through 2026, and the ball joint play noted in 2026 indicates this wear is progressing. A buyer should inspect the front lower arms closely, checking for play in the rear bushes and ball joints, and verify whether the rear shocks and springs replaced in 2023 remain in good condition with no fresh corrosion or oil misting. The general underbody corrosion noted in 2024, combined with the badly corroded rear shocks flagged in 2023, raises a legitimate concern about long-term structural integrity, particularly given the car's age and the likelihood of standing periods. A physical inspection underneath is essential, focusing on the subframes, suspension mounting points, and brake lines for any signs of advanced corrosion. The repeated tyre advisories, while minor in isolation, point to a pattern of basic upkeep being overlooked. Tyres should be checked for age-related cracking regardless of remaining tread depth, and the nail in the nearside rear tyre from the 2026 test should be confirmed as properly repaired or the tyre replaced.