Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 1996 Subaru Impreza
The 1996 Subaru Impreza holds up well as a used vehicle, but be cautious of aftermarket lighting and airbag issues. The key focus should be on ensuring proper exterior lighting and verifying the reliability of the airbag system. Addressing these can maintain safety standards and reliability.
Known issues to inspect
Headlights lack amber reflectors
How to check: Inspect headlights for amber side reflectors presence.
Airbag system concerns
How to check: Check for airbag warning lights on the dashboard.
Brake system complaints
How to check: Examine for unusual brake noises or pedal softness.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Observe for any dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent airbag light
- 02
Initial braking
What to check: Notice any unusual sounds or pulling.
Red flag: Loud squealing or wobble
- 03
Low-speed maneuvering
What to check: Feel for steering response and ease.
Red flag: Stiff or erratic steering
- 04
City driving
What to check: Listen for suspension noises over bumps.
Red flag: Clunking or rattling sounds
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Observe for smooth power delivery.
Red flag: Stuttering or hesitation
- 06
Final stop
What to check: Check brake performance on a quick stop.
Red flag: Spongy or unresponsive brakes
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have the headlights been replaced?
- Any issues with the airbag system?
- Has the brake system been serviced?
- Any known suspension problems?
- Have any recalls been addressed?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Maintenance records
- Recall repair documents
- Title and registration
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/19/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 1996 Subaru Impreza.