Subaru Impreza MOT pass rate and common problems
82.1% of 30,757 Subaru Impreza MOT tests pass.
The Impreza has a pass rate of 82.1%, a little higher than the average across all Subaru models (80.9%).
The Subaru Impreza has a pass rate of 82.1%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Subaru Impreza?
This is the average across every Subaru Impreza in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Subaru’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 88.1% at 3–6 years to 81.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (29) | 29 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 88.1% | 670 | 56,251 miles |
| 6–10 years | 89.7% | 1,027 | 61,452 miles |
| 10–15 years | 82.6% | 2,757 | 83,454 miles |
| 15+ years | 81.6% | 26,274 | 102,895 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Subaru Impreza
The most common reason the Subaru Impreza fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 58.7% | Not working |
| Suspension | 57.3% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 46.7% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Brakes | 26.8% | Excessively corroded |
| Body, chassis, structure | 22.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 12.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 11.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.0% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 4.5% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Subaru Impreza: what to check
These checks follow the Subaru Impreza’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Subaru Impreza comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 89.7% to 82.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 94.0% down to 88.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 58.7% of failed Subaru Impreza MOTs. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.5% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 57.3% of failed Subaru Impreza MOTs. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 3.0% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 46.7% of failed Subaru Impreza MOTs. 11.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 3.1% at 3–6 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 26.8% of failed Subaru Impreza MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 22.3% of failed Subaru Impreza MOTs. 5.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.0% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Subaru service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Subaru models
- Subaru Forester — 75.6% pass rate
- Subaru Outback — 81.2% pass rate
- Subaru XV — 85.1% pass rate
- Subaru Legacy — 71.2% pass rate
- Subaru WRX — 93.1% pass rate
- Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr — 95.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Impreza?
- 82.1% of Subaru Impreza MOT tests pass, based on 30,757 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Subaru Impreza?
- The most common reason the Subaru Impreza fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Subaru Impreza?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Subaru Impreza are lights and electrics; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.5% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Subaru Impreza?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; brakes; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Subaru Impreza's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Subaru service history guide for how to check and keep one.