Subaru

WRX / STI GD inspection checklist

2000-2007 · 12 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highDetonation from low-octane fuel or bad tunes

Look for: The single biggest GD killer across every variant: detonation from sub-98 RON fuel, lean/aggressive aftermarket tunes or boost-control faults cracks ringlands and damages pistons.

If you find it: Run 98 RON only, insist on a quality conservative tune, fix boost leaks/over-boost, and verify the ECU has not been crudely flashed.

Any · ~$4000-14000 (engine)

highModified / thrashed history

Look for: Few GDs are stock or gently driven. Cheap modified examples can hide worn engines, dodgy tunes, accident repairs and tired drivelines.

If you find it: Full PPI by a Subaru specialist, compression/leak-down test, dyno/tune history, and a body/chassis check for crash repairs.

Any · Varies (whole-car risk)

mediumWheel bearings and suspension wear

Look for: Front and rear wheel bearings, control-arm and rear lateral-link bushes wear with age and hard driving, causing droning and vague handling.

If you find it: Replace bearings and worn bushes; a full suspension refresh transforms a tired GD.

From 100k+ km · ~$200-800 per corner

mediumCoolant and oil leaks (boxer seals/gaskets)

Look for: Aging EJ boxers weep from cam/crank seals, valve covers and coolant crossover; a healthy cooling system is critical to avoid overheating and engine damage.

If you find it: Reseal as needed, replace tired radiator/hoses/thermostat, and address leaks before they cause overheating.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1500

2 of 3 engines

highCam belt failure (interference engine)

Look for: The EJ205 is belt-driven and interference - an overdue or failed cam belt (or idler/tensioner) lets valves meet pistons and wrecks the head.

If you find it: Replace belt, idlers, tensioner and water pump as a kit on schedule; verify history before purchase.

From 100k+ km / 5 years since last belt · ~$700-1500

2.0L EJ205 WRX turbo petrol

highRingland / piston failure from detonation

Look for: The cast pistons crack at the ringland when the engine detonates - caused by low-octane fuel, lean or aggressive tunes, boost spikes or sustained hard driving. Symptoms are blue smoke, oil burning, rough idle and loss of power. A genuine risk on any abused EJ.

If you find it: Rebuild with forged pistons; only run 98 RON, ensure a quality conservative tune, fix any boost-control faults. Compression/leak-down test before buying.

Any (worse on modified/tuned cars) · ~$4000-9000

mediumThrow-out (release) bearing rattle

Look for: GD WRX clutch release/throw-out bearings are a known noisemaker (2000-2008), often rattling at idle with the clutch out.

If you find it: Replace the bearing (and clutch while the gearbox is out).

From 80k+ km · ~$800-1600

2.5L EJ255 WRX turbo petrol (hawkeye)

highRingland / piston failure on the 2.5

Look for: Like all EJ turbo boxers, the EJ255 cracks ringlands under detonation - especially on aftermarket tunes pushing more boost on the 2.5L bottom end. Blue smoke, oil use and misfires follow.

If you find it: Forged-piston rebuild; 98 RON only, conservative tune, healthy boost control. Leak-down test before buying.

Any (worse when tuned/over-boosted) · ~$4500-10000

mediumOil consumption / leaks

Look for: EJ25 turbo engines are known to use oil and weep from cam and crank seals as they age; running them low accelerates bearing and ringland trouble.

If you find it: Monitor and top up between services; reseal as needed; never run low.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1500

2.0L EJ207 STI turbo petrol

highRingland / bearing failure from abuse despite forged internals

Look for: The EJ207 is the toughest GD boxer, but hard track use, big aftermarket boost, missed oil changes or detonation still kill pistons and big-end bearings. A spun bearing or cracked ringland means a full rebuild.

If you find it: Buy on documented history, oil-change records and a leak-down/compression test; conservative tune and 98 RON; baffled sump for track work.

Any (abused/over-boosted cars) · ~$6000-14000

mediumGearbox synchro and clutch wear

Look for: Hard-launched STIs wear 1st/4th synchros and clutches, with crunchy shifts and slip; the 6-speed is strong but not immune to abuse.

If you find it: Synchro/clutch replacement; check for crunching into 1st/2nd cold on a test drive.

From 100k+ km · ~$1500-4000

mediumDCCD and driveline wear

Look for: The driver-controlled centre diff, front/rear LSDs and driveline take a beating on launches and track days; diff and bearing wear is common on hard-used cars.

If you find it: Inspect diffs and DCCD operation; rebuild as needed by an AWD specialist.

From 120k+ km · ~$1000-3500

1 minor thing (low severity)

lowBody and underbody rust (older / coastal cars)

Look for: Now 18-25 years old, GDs can show rust in the rear wheel arches, sills, boot floor and underbody, especially coastal or northern cars.

If you find it: Inspect arches, sills and boot floor; favour dry-climate, rust-free examples.

Any · Varies

From FlamingCars' Subaru WRX / STI guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.