2010 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,909 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Subaru Impreza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 80.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (77.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.9% in the 150k+ group versus 9.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 427 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.6% | 372 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 346 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.6% | 225 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 167 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 159 |
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 | 323 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 232 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 197 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 174 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 110 |
| 6 | Washers | 107 |
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 | 31.5% | 1,545 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.8% | 972 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.5% | 957 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 424 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 402 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.8% | 286 |
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 | 103 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 879 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,893 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,404 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 492 | 23.6% |
| 150k+ | 123 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,359 | 18.7% |
| Diesel | 550 | 22.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,092 | 18.3% |
| 2022 | 1,051 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 1,003 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 917 | 17.3% |
| 2025 | 846 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Impreza
Before buying a 2010 Subaru Impreza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 8.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (8.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.6% 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 (7.0% 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 2010 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
80.9% of the 4,909 2010 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.6%).
Does the 2010 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,909 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.