2004 Subaru Impreza 2.0L Petrol · YC04 AXN

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT, but the history reveals a concerning trend of structural degradation. While it passed its most recent test on January 2026 at 61,029 miles, this followed a significant failure just ten days prior. The record shows a clear progression from a clean test in early 2024 to critical structural and mechanical failures thereafter. Although the immediate repairs appear to have secured a pass, the underlying issue of advanced corrosion remains an ongoing and active process rather than an isolated incident. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of this Subaru Impreza is exceptionally low, averaging only about 2,700 to 2,800 miles per year. This low usage often correlates with mechanical longevity, yet the data shows significant gaps in activity. Between January 2025 and January 2026, the vehicle covered only 1,737 miles. Such low annual mileage suggests the car may have sat for long periods, which frequently contributes to the corrosion of brake lines and the seizing of rubber components, as seen in the reported faults. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the structural integrity, specifically targeting the sills, inner arches, and floor pans. The December 2024 failure highlighted excessive corrosion that affected the strength of the offside rear structure and chassis, and while later tests claimed this was not yet seriously weakened, the proximity to body mounting points is risky. The front and rear sub-frames have also been flagged for corrosion across multiple tests, requiring a close look for any thinning metal or bubbling paint that indicates rust. The braking system requires close attention due to the nearside front brake pipe which has appeared as a recurring defect in every test since 2024. The presence of grease or material on this pipe indicates a potential attempt to mask corrosion from the tester. Furthermore, the rear brake discs progressed from being merely pitted to being seriously weakened in early 2026, indicating that the braking components are reaching the end of their functional life due to rust rather than just wear.