2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5L Petrol · SO57 EBL

The vehicle remains in a state of persistent mechanical concern, with no clear trend toward improvement. The most recent MOT on 2021-12-17 failed at 109,297 miles, and the same issues — corroded and fractured coil springs, leaking fuel pipe, worn brake discs and pads, corroded brake pipes, and inoperative headlamp levelling — were flagged again. This indicates that critical structural and safety components have not been repaired or replaced to a satisfactory standard, and the pattern of recurring failures suggests ongoing neglect rather than corrective action. Mileage progression shows a remarkably low annual average of roughly 5,752 miles over 19 years, which is unusually low for a 2007 model. The jump from 98,716 miles in July 2019 to 108,296 miles in September 2020 represents just 9,580 miles over 14 months — a rate that implies either infrequent use or potential odometer tampering. The 2020-07-01 test at 108,289 miles occurred just 22 days before the 2020-09-25 test, yet the same corrosion and suspension issues persisted, suggesting no meaningful maintenance occurred between those dates. The 2021-12-17 failure came after only 1,001 miles from the prior pass, reinforcing that the car has not been mechanically cared for in recent years. Buyers must inspect the front and rear suspension components with extreme caution. The repeated findings of corroded and fractured coil springs, seriously weakened sub-frames, and excessively corroded suspension mounting areas indicate a high risk of structural failure under load or during cornering. Brake systems require full evaluation — worn pads, corroded pipes, and binding calipers have been flagged multiple times, and the 2020 failure noted “excessively fluctuating” rear brakes, which may point to internal hydraulic issues. The fuel pipe leak near the tank is a fire hazard and must be addressed immediately. Exhaust integrity should be verified, as major leaks were recorded in 2020, and emissions compliance remains questionable. Tyre wear and headlamp levelling issues, while less critical, reflect a broader pattern of deferred maintenance that may mask deeper mechanical problems.