2009 Subaru Impreza 2.0L Diesel · WV59 OBW

The 2009 Subaru Impreza presents a broadly stable but ageing maintenance profile, passing its most recent MOT on 11 October 2022 at 101,717 miles after a same-day retest. That retest cleared a failed nearside front position lamp and an inoperative registration plate lamp, both minor electrical issues. Two advisories for worn front suspension arm pins or bushes, noted on both the pass and fail certificates, indicate the car has been running with deteriorating front-end compliance components for some time. These are not new failures, but the fact they were flagged without immediate replacement suggests a pattern of deferred suspension maintenance rather than a sudden deterioration. The mileage record tells an unusual story. Between 2020 and 2021, the car covered just 6,617 miles. Then between October 2021 and October 2022, it added 9,847 miles. Yet by June 2026, over three and a half years later, the recorded mileage remains frozen at 101,717. Either the vehicle has been standing unused for a prolonged period, the mileage reading is suspect, or the car has been used only very sparingly. A genuine low-mileage history of roughly 5,983 miles per year is plausible for a lightly used car, but the complete absence of any MOT record since October 2022 raises questions about whether the vehicle has been kept in roadworthy storage or simply left off the road. No MOT is legally required if the car has been declared SORN, but a buyer should verify the current condition carefully. The recurring theme in this record is gradual wear to consumables and front-end components without consistent proactive replacement. Front suspension arm bushes were advisory items in 2022 and had already been noted as worn, not resulting in excessive movement, meaning they were still functional but past their best. Front brake pads and rear brake pads and discs were flagged as wearing thin in 2020, and all four tyres showed cracking or perishing at the same test. These are the sorts of items a diligent owner replaces before they reach advisory stage, and the pattern suggests maintenance was reactive rather than preventative. A buyer should inspect the front suspension bushes, ball joints, and drop links in person, checking for play or deterioration that may have worsened since 2022. The braking system deserves close attention, particularly if the car has been sitting stationary for long periods, as seized calipers and corroded discs are common on infrequently used vehicles. Tyre age is equally critical; even with good tread depth, rubber older than six years can present a genuine safety risk.