Subaru Impretza MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 225 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 29.8%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Subaru Impretza MOT Reliability Overview
The Subaru Impretza is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 225 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.2% and a failure rate of 29.8%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Subaru Impretza earns a "Very Good" reliability rating. The average Subaru Impretza presents for MOT with approximately 99,494 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1997 models achieve the highest pass rate at 73.5%, while 1994 models have the lowest at 53.7%. This 19.8 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Subaru Impretza is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 27.1% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions at 20.0%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 18.2%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 38.2% | 86 |
| 2 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 29.3% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.9% | 56 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.9% | 47 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.4% | 28 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.4% | 19 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 6.2% | 14 |
| 8 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.6% | 8 |
| 9 | Items Not Tested | 2.2% | 5 |
| 10 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.3% | 3 |
| 11 | Visibility | 0.9% | 2 |
| 12 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.4% | 1 |
| 13 | Non-component Advisories | 0.4% | 1 |
| 14 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 99,494 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 3.84 | 38.2% | 86 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 2.95 | 29.3% | 66 |
| Suspension | 2.50 | 24.9% | 56 |
| Brakes | 2.10 | 20.9% | 47 |
| Tyres | 1.25 | 12.4% | 28 |
| Steering | 0.85 | 8.4% | 19 |
| Visibility | 0.72 | 7.1% | 16 |
| Body & Structure | 0.36 | 3.6% | 8 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.22 | 2.2% | 5 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.13 | 1.3% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.04 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.04 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.04 | 0.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Subaru Impretza has 99,494 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Subaru Impretza has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.00% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Subaru Impretza MOT Data
The Subaru Impretza is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 225 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.2% and a failure rate of 29.8%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Subaru Impretza owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and exhaust, fuel and emissions for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Impretza is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 27.1% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 27.1% of MOT failures on the Subaru Impretza. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 20.0% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 20.0% of MOT failures on the Subaru Impretza. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Suspension — 18.2% of failures
Suspension issues account for 18.2% of MOT failures on the Subaru Impretza. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Impretza?
Based on 225 MOT tests in our database, the Subaru Impretza has an overall pass rate of 70.2% (29.8% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru Impretza?
The top 3 reasons a Subaru Impretza fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (27.1%), 2. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (20.0%), 3. Suspension (18.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Subaru Impretza reliable?
With a 29.8% MOT failure rate, the Impretza is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Subaru Impretza?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (27.1%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (20.0%); Suspension (18.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.