MOT performance
Subaru Impreza MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 37,283 MOT tests of the Subaru Impreza in 2023–2024, 74.0% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Subaru Imprezas failed 37% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “position lamp: not working”, on 3.52% of tests.
37,283 MOT tests on 21,127 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 74.0% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 37,283 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.63× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.1% | n = 37,283 |
| Average age at test | 17.8 years | n = 37,283 |
| Median mileage at test | 96,626 miles | n = 37,283 |
| Vehicles tested | 21,127 | 2023–2024 |
Where Subaru Imprezas fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 11.7% | -41% |
| Suspension | 9.5% | -37% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.8% | +13% |
| Brakes | 5.5% | -53% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 5.1% | -34% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.5% | -50% |
| Tyres | 2.9% | -55% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% | -40% |
| Steering | 1.1% | -66% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.8% | +21% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | -12% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -20% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.52% |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 3.18% |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.08% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.20% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.13% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 1.64% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.54% |
| Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body, chassis and structure | 1.37% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.36% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.32% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 9.28% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 7.47% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 6.81% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.26% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.87% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 580 | 85.9% | -12% |
| 5-6 | 720 | 87.8% | -35% |
| 7-8 | 773 | 84.4% | -38% |
| 9-10 | 348 | 78.5% | -28% |
| 11-12 | 869 | 76.8% | -37% |
| 13-15 | 5,540 | 72.2% | -34% |
| 16+ | 28,393 | 73.3% | -37% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 409 | 84.6% | 0.95× |
| 2018 | 421 | 88.1% | 0.73× |
| 2016 | 403 | 86.1% | 0.59× |
| 2015 | 468 | 82.9% | 0.65× |
| 2011 | 375 | 76.3% | 0.64× |
| 2010 | 1,671 | 74.7% | 0.63× |
| 2009 | 1,611 | 73.0% | 0.65× |
| 2008 | 2,236 | 71.3% | 0.65× |
| 2007 | 3,879 | 70.8% | 0.67× |
| 2006 | 3,549 | 71.0% | 0.65× |
| 2005 | 4,578 | 73.0% | 0.60× |
| 2004 | 3,652 | 74.5% | 0.57× |
| 2003 | 3,596 | 72.5% | 0.62× |
| 2002 | 2,238 | 72.5% | 0.63× |
| 2001 | 1,909 | 71.6% | 0.67× |
| 2000 | 1,842 | 76.1% | 0.59× |
| 1999 | 1,573 | 77.4% | 0.61× |
| 1998 | 868 | 78.9% | 0.64× |
| 1997 | 491 | 74.1% | 0.83× |
| 1996 | 300 | 76.3% | 0.75× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Subaru Impreza
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.