2000 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,515 MOT tests analysed for the 2000 Subaru Impreza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 81.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.8% in the 150k+ group versus 9.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 499 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 463 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 428 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 294 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.3% | 291 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 201 |
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 | 567 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 482 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 200 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 135 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 133 |
| 6 | Washers | 130 |
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 | 21.9% | 1,208 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.0% | 1,103 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 688 |
| 4 | Tyres | 11.6% | 642 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 412 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.6% | 364 |
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 | 135 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 499 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,188 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,529 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,279 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 859 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,334 | 20.1% |
| 2022 | 1,179 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 1,051 | 18.6% |
| 2024 | 1,005 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 946 | 17.0% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Impreza
Before buying a 2000 Subaru Impreza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 (7.8% 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 2000 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 5,515 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 2000 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,515 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.