2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5L Petrol · KB09 SUB

A pattern of recurring suspension and exhaust advisories defines the mechanical profile of this 2009 Subaru Impreza, with the front suspension arm pin or bush wear appearing across multiple test cycles and exhaust gas leaks flagged on two separate occasions. The most recent recorded test on 16 May 2023 produced both a fail and a pass on the same day, the failure attributable to a non-functioning nearside front position lamp rather than any structural or safety-critical component, while the pass retained the same three advisories seen on the failure entry. Earlier tests show a coil spring corrosion advisory in April 2022 affecting all four springs, a pattern of front tyre wear advisories in 2019 and 2015, and entirely clean test outcomes in 2018 and 2016. The trend is one of consistent roadworthiness but with persistent advisory-level deterioration in the front suspension and exhaust system that a buyer should not dismiss as trivial. Recorded mileage of 67,319 miles across seventeen years equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 3,960 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and points to either extended periods of low use or significant intervals off the road. The testing history itself reveals gaps, with no MOT entries between March 2015 and February 2021 and again between July 2019 and April 2022, suggesting the vehicle spent considerable time un-registered or un-driven. Mechanically, low annual mileage combined with long stationary periods is associated with accelerated corrosion of ferrous components, drying and cracking of rubber bushes and boots, and potential degradation of brake fluid and calliper internals due to infrequent cycling, all of which are consistent with the coil spring corrosion advisory recorded in 2022. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension arm pin or bush wear that has been flagged on both sides across multiple tests, as these components support the alignment of the front wheels and directly influence handling and tyre wear. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, check for uneven or feathered front tyre wear which can indicate worn bushes allowing geometry changes, and physically inspect the rubber bushes for cracking, splitting, or visible corrosion of the surrounding arm. Also examine the front coil springs for surface rust, as the 2022 advisory noted corrosion on all four units, and on a rough road listen for any spring creaking or visible body sag at the corners which would indicate progression beyond superficial corrosion. The exhaust system warrants close scrutiny given the repeated minor leak advisories in 2021 and 2023. With the engine running, listen for a ticking or hissing sound from the exhaust manifold area, particularly at the front pipe joints and any flexible sections, and check for soot deposits around joints which would indicate active gas escape. Given the long stationary periods evident in the test history, the brake system deserves dedicated inspection, including checking for binding callipers by ensuring each wheel spins freely when jacked and free of handbrake, examining brake lines and flexi hoses for surface corrosion or cracking, and verifying that the brake fluid reservoir has been recently serviced. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion on subframe, rear trailing arm mounting points, and the exhaust mounting brackets is essential, as low-mileage vehicles that have sat idle often develop localised rust that does not appear in standard MOT checks.