1997 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,514 MOT tests analysed for the 1997 Subaru Impreza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 80.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (76.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.8% in the 150k+ group versus 9.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 177 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.9% | 120 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 110 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 105 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.5% | 83 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 147 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 124 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 93 |
| 4 | Joints | 71 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 54 |
| 6 | Washers | 43 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 23.4% | 355 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 315 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 227 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 208 |
| 5 | Tyres | 11.8% | 178 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 152 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 61 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 117 | 17.1% |
| 60-90k | 271 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 375 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 356 | 18.3% |
| 150k+ | 317 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 346 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 323 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 287 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 285 | 17.9% |
| 2025 | 273 | 15.4% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Impreza
Before buying a 1997 Subaru Impreza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (7.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
80.5% of the 1,514 1997 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.9%).
Does the 1997 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,514 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.