Subaru Impreza Type R MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 45 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 20.0%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Subaru Impreza Type R MOT Reliability Overview
The Subaru Impreza Type R is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 45 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.0% and a failure rate of 20.0%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Subaru Impreza Type R earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Subaru Impreza Type R presents for MOT with approximately 102,827 miles on the clock. The 1998 manufacture year performs best with a 80.0% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Subaru Impreza Type R is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 17.8% 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 15.6%. Steering rounds out the top three at 11.1%. 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 | 28.9% | 13 |
| 2 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 22.2% | 10 |
| 3 | Tyres | 11.1% | 5 |
| 4 | Driver's View Of The Road | 11.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Steering | 11.1% | 5 |
| 6 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 4.4% | 2 |
| 7 | Suspension | 2.2% | 1 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 102,827 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 | 2.81 | 28.9% | 13 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 2.16 | 22.2% | 10 |
| Tyres | 1.08 | 11.1% | 5 |
| Visibility | 1.08 | 11.1% | 5 |
| Steering | 1.08 | 11.1% | 5 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.43 | 4.4% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.22 | 2.2% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.22 | 2.2% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Subaru Impreza Type R has 102,827 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 Impreza Type R has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 1.95% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Subaru Impreza Type R MOT Data
The Subaru Impreza Type R is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 45 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.0% and a failure rate of 20.0%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Subaru Impreza Type R 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 Impreza Type R is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 17.8% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 17.8% of MOT failures on the Subaru Impreza Type R. 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 — 15.6% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 15.6% of MOT failures on the Subaru Impreza Type R. 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.
Steering — 11.1% of failures
Steering issues account for 11.1% of MOT failures on the Subaru Impreza Type R. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Impreza Type R?
Based on 45 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Subaru Impreza Type R has an overall pass rate of 80.0% (20.0% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Subaru Impreza Type R?
The top 3 reasons a Subaru Impreza Type R fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (17.8%), 2. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (15.6%), 3. Steering (11.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Subaru Impreza Type R reliable?
With a 20.0% MOT failure rate, the Impreza Type R is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Subaru Impreza Type R?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (17.8%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (15.6%); Steering (11.1%). 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.