Subaru
35,428 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Imprezas pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 1.6 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
79.1%
Pass-after-fix
3.9%
Fail
15.7%
Avg miles
99,670
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Could not determine Euro standard — check the V5C or use the government's online ULEZ checker.
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 35,329 tests
Pass rate climbs 10.0 points across the cohorts — newer Impreza examples clear the test more reliably than the early cars.
Pass
79.0%
Fail
15.8%
PRS
4.0%
Avg mileage at test
100,584 mi
Pass
88.9%
Fail
8.6%
PRS
1.5%
Avg mileage at test
56,011 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has been manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Leone, with the predecessor's EA series engines replaced by the new EJ series.
MOT data from 22,233 tests puts this car on a 75.9% first-time pass rate, roughly in line with the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 98,475 miles. The most common fail item is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mountingis significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, followed by failed number plate light.
Buyers weighing up a used Impreza should treat the failure breakdown as a pre-purchase checklist. The pass rate is reasonable, but the gap between first attempt and a clean sheet narrows with age and mileage.
ABI Insurance Group
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
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The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
1,339 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
1,100 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
808 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
693 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
639 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
581 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
504 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
494 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
397 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
378 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. A 9.9-point gap between bands means the year you buy Subaru Impreza has a real effect on what turns up at the garage.
Best band to buy
88.9%
2018–2020 registration
the 2018–2020 band climbs to 88.9% — a 9.9-point improvement. Tests in this band average 56,011 miles — roughly 45K miles fewer on the clock than the older band. Failures here are mostly wear items: ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, has ply or cords exposed — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band. The stricter post-2018 MOT test rules meant manufacturers had to tighten up emissions and electrical checks, but this band still shows far fewer major failures on suspension and bodywork than the older fleet.
Band to be cautious about
79.0%
Pre-2018 registration
On the older band (pre-2018), the data shows a 79.0% pass rate against a fleet average of 88.9% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, inoperative in the case of multiple lamps…, and constant velocity boot severely deteriorated. Average mileage on test for this band is 100,584 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: 2018-2020 (88.9% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: pre-2018 (79.0% pass). That's a 9.9-point spread across 34,652 older tests and 677 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
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Recall history
The Impreza has 14 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an Impreza and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
