2005 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,624 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Subaru Impreza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 80.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.4% in the 150k+ group versus 2.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 1,516 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 1,179 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 1,038 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 713 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.5% | 620 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 392 |
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 | 998 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 919 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 776 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 556 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 527 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 369 |
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% | 3,191 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.7% | 2,686 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.5% | 2,112 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 1,972 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 1,476 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.6% | 760 |
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 | 216 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,103 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,566 | 17.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,652 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,749 | 22.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,316 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,075 | 19.3% |
| 2022 | 2,903 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 2,757 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 2,514 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 2,375 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Impreza
Before buying a 2005 Subaru Impreza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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 2005 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
80.7% of the 13,624 2005 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 2005 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,624 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.