2004 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,831 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Subaru Impreza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 81.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.7% in the 150k+ group versus 3.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 1,166 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 963 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 825 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 529 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 451 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 343 |
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 | 798 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 706 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 667 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 395 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 372 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 260 |
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 | 23.5% | 2,550 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.3% | 2,304 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.5% | 1,679 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 1,329 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 1,094 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.7% | 614 |
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 | 221 | 3.6% |
| 30-60k | 930 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,641 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,617 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,401 | 21.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,003 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,528 | 20.6% |
| 2022 | 2,304 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 2,148 | 18.9% |
| 2024 | 2,003 | 18.0% |
| 2025 | 1,848 | 16.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Impreza
Before buying a 2004 Subaru Impreza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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 (7.6% 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 2004 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 10,831 2004 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2004 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,831 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.