Subaru

WRX / STI VA inspection checklist

2014-2021 · 11 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highModified / abused history

Look for: A large share of used WRX/STI VAs have been tuned, launched, tracked or thrashed - the single biggest risk when buying, because aggressive tunes and abuse drive the ringland, rod-bearing, turbo and driveline failures above.

If you find it: Favour stock, full-service-history cars; get a pre-purchase inspection, compression/leak-down test and an ECU/tune check before buying.

Any · Varies (potentially major)

mediumWheel bearings

Look for: WRX/STI wheel bearings are a well-known wear item across this generation, often announced by a droning hum that changes with cornering load - sticky tyres and enthusiastic driving accelerate it.

If you find it: Replace the affected hub/bearing; do them in pairs if both are noisy.

From 80k-120k+ km · ~$300-700 per corner

mediumClutch wear and judder (manual)

Look for: The manual clutch wears with hard launches and traffic; juddering, slipping and a high bite point are the symptoms, and worn examples are common given how these cars are driven.

If you find it: Replace the clutch (and inspect the flywheel); a quality kit on a stock-tune car lasts well.

From 60k-120k km · ~$1500-3000

2 of 3 engines

highEngine failure from low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) / ringland and rod bearings

Look for: The FA20DIT can suffer ringland, piston and rod-bearing failure, typically from low-speed pre-ignition under high load at low rpm (around 1400-2400rpm) - the risk rises sharply with aftermarket tunes, cheap fuel or extended oil intervals. Documented AU cases include short-block replacement around 100,000km costing roughly $11k, with warranty claims sometimes disputed.

If you find it: Keep the factory tune (or a reputable conservative tune), run quality 98 RON, change oil on time (or more often), and avoid lugging the engine. A failed engine needs a short block or full rebuild.

Any (worse 80k-150k km, or after a tune) · ~$8000-14000 (short block / engine)

highTurbo oil-feed banjo-bolt filter clogging

Look for: The small mesh filter in the turbo oil-feed banjo bolt can clog with oil sludge and starve the turbo of oil, leading to bearing failure and a 'walking' turbine - a long-standing Subaru turbo issue carried into this era.

If you find it: Inspect/clean or remove the banjo filter per Subaru TSB guidance, keep oil changes frequent and use the correct oil; replace the turbo if it has been starved.

From 60k+ km (neglected oil changes) · ~$300 (clean) to $2500+ (turbo)

WRX 2.0L FA20DIT (CVT)

highCVT (Lineartronic) overheating / valve-body and torque-converter faults

Look for: The CVT is heat-sensitive; valve-body failures and torque-converter shudder/judder are the known faults, severe enough that Subaru extended the CVT warranty on affected cars. Modified or track-driven WRXs are most at risk.

If you find it: Fit a CVT fluid cooler if used hard, service the fluid (it is NOT lifetime in practice), and verify the extended-warranty status; failure means valve-body or full transmission replacement.

From 80k+ km (sooner if modified or worked hard) · ~$3000-8000+ (transmission)

WRX STI 2.5L EJ257 (6MT)

highRingland failure (pistons)

Look for: The EJ257's cast pistons have relatively brittle ringlands; knock/detonation from aggressive tunes, poor fuel, lean conditions or a heat soak can shatter a ringland, causing blow-by, smoke and power loss. It is the defining EJ25 failure mode and the reason stock-tune history matters so much.

If you find it: Run 98 RON, avoid cheap tunes, monitor knock, keep the engine cool and well-fuelled. Repair is a forged-piston rebuild for longevity.

Any (often after tuning / detonation) · ~$8000-15000 (rebuilt engine)

highSpun rod / main bearings (rod knock)

Look for: The EJ25 is prone to rod-bearing wear and spun bearings ('rod knock'), aggravated by oil starvation, over-revving, sustained high load and missed oil changes - a deep knocking noise warns of it.

If you find it: Strict oil maintenance and quality oil; on knock, a bottom-end rebuild with upgraded bearings is required.

From 100k+ km (or earlier if tuned/oil-starved) · ~$8000-15000 (rebuild)

highTiming belt failure (interference engine)

Look for: Unlike the chain-driven FA20, the EJ257 uses a timing belt and is an interference design - a snapped or skipped belt bends valves and wrecks the engine. Many used cars are overdue.

If you find it: Replace the timing belt, tensioner, idlers and water pump on schedule (and verify it was done before purchase).

Every ~100,000-105,000km / by age · ~$800-1800 (belt kit + water pump)

mediumTurbo oil-feed banjo-bolt clogging / turbo wear

Look for: Same banjo-bolt oil-feed filter clogging risk as other Subaru turbos can starve the turbo of oil and cause bearing failure.

If you find it: Inspect/clean or remove the banjo filter per TSB, keep oil fresh; replace the turbo if damaged.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-2500

WRX 2.0L FA20DIT (6MT)

mediumDirect-injection intake-valve carbon build-up

Look for: Like other DI turbo engines, the FA20DIT has no port fuel washing the intake valves, so carbon accumulates and can cause rough idle, misfires and lost power over time.

If you find it: Walnut-blast intake-valve clean; a catch-can helps slow it.

From 100k+ km · ~$400-1200

2 minor things (low severity)

lowSuspension bushes, dampers and driveline wear

Look for: Bushes, dampers, drop links and driveline components wear with spirited use and rough roads, giving clunks, knocks and vague handling.

If you find it: Refresh worn bushes, links and dampers; inspect CVs and diffs.

From 100k+ km · ~$500-2000

lowBrake wear (STI Brembos)

Look for: The STI's Brembo brakes are strong but pads and rotors wear quickly under hard driving, and replacement parts cost more than the WRX's brakes.

If you find it: Quality pads/rotors; bed them in properly and flush fluid regularly if driven hard.

From 40k+ km · ~$600-1500

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.