Used Subaru WRX: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy
What to check on a used WRX, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- Impreza WRX (GE/GH) 2007–2014
- VA 2014–2021
- VB 2022 on
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Subaru WRX
The most commonly reported problems on a used Subaru WRX are piston and bearing damage from engine knock, oil leaks and blockages in the turbo's oil feed, and clutch and flywheel wear. Modified and hard-driven cars are the biggest risk, so check for both.
For the WRX you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Piston and Bearing Damage From Engine Knock
On the 2.5-litre engines of the older Impreza WRX, the first piston ringland can crack from detonation (knock), and hard use and tuning raise the risk (AustralianCar.Reviews).
Start the engine from cold and listen for knocking or tapping. Look for blue or white smoke on start-up, and on the drive feel for misfires or a lack of power. Ask whether the car has been tuned.
A damaged engine needs a rebuild. Have a mechanic do a compression test on any WRX you're serious about, especially one that's been modified.
Turbo Oil Feed Faults
The oil feed line and filter that supply the WRX's turbo can clog or leak. Starved of oil, the turbo can fail.
With the bonnet open, look around the turbo and its oil lines for wet oil. On the drive, accelerate firmly: listen for a whine or whistle, and watch for smoke or a loss of boost.
Ask whether the feed line or banjo filter have been replaced, with receipts. A failing turbo is costly, so price it in or have it checked.
Clutch and Flywheel Wear
WRX clutches work hard, and owners of 2015 and 2016 models in particular have complained of clutch problems (ReDriven).
On the drive, accelerate firmly in a higher gear: if the revs rise faster than the speed, the clutch is slipping. Feel for judder pulling away and listen for a rattle at idle that stops when you press the clutch.
Ask when the clutch was last replaced. A worn clutch and flywheel is a big bill, so price it into your offer.
Which Subaru WRX Years to Avoid?
No single Subaru WRX year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
- Impreza WRX (GE/GH) (2007–2014). 12 to 19 years old, typically about 150,000–240,000 km. At this age, condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
- VA (2014–2021). 5 to 12 years old, typically about 60,000–150,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2014). Stability control is standard. Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing. Subaru's new-car warranty is 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from January 2019, so ones first sold from 2021 may still be covered.
- VB (2022 on). Up to 4 years old, typically up to about 50,000 km. The current model. Subaru's new-car warranty is 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from January 2019, so any may still be covered. Check how much is left and that servicing has kept it valid.
Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why.
Warranty terms are from Subaru's warranty page, as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows.
For the WRX you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Subaru WRX General Inspection Guide
A guide to checking for Subaru WRX problems, built on the used car buying checklist for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing.
- Impreza WRX (GE/GH) 2007–2014
- VA 2014–2021
- VB 2022 on
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
01
Exterior
3 checks
01
Exterior
3 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
6 checks, 1 safety critical
02
Under the Bonnet
6 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
4 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
4 checks, 1 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
5 checks, 2 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
5 checks, 2 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
06
Documentation
2 checks
06
Documentation
2 checks
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Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru; Subaru and WRX are trademarks of Subaru Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What the General inspection guide can't tell you about the WRX you're looking at
5+
recalls on WRXs built since 2007
17
common faults reported on WRXs built since 2007
410
owner complaints on WRXs built since 2015
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
A Tailored check in the Shufti app covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
- PPSR and government recall checks included
Get a Shufti Tailored check on your mobile.
Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Start free with the Subaru WRX General inspection guide, and upgrade to a Tailored check for the car you're serious about.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, November 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them. See the recall notices for the Subaru WRX on the government's Vehicle Recalls site, and how we check our facts.
Buying a Used Subaru WRX: Questions Answered
Is a used Subaru WRX reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Subaru WRX years should I avoid?
No single Subaru WRX year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
This checklist covers the Impreza WRX (GE/GH) (2007–2014), VA (2014–2021) and VB (2022 on) Subaru WRX. Problems reported across them include piston and bearing damage, turbo oil feed faults and clutch and flywheel wear.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Subaru WRX?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre car with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services or spent years on short trips. Check the history for regular oil changes, and find out whether any timing belt replacement is due, as it's a costly job.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Subaru WRX?
It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. Hidden crash repairs and gearbox problems are easy to miss on a short test drive, so check panel gaps and paint closely and drive it long enough to feel every gear change. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs
How do I check a used Subaru WRX for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
How do I check recalls on a used Subaru WRX?
Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the Subaru WRX. Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a Subaru dealer to check the VIN.
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | General Inspection Guide Free in the app or on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
PPSR and government recall checks included | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
Not ready yet? Start with the free General inspection guide for your car's model.
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Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the used car buying checklist for any car or browse problems and checklists by model.