2000 Subaru Impreza MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 77.3% of Subaru Imprezas first used in 2000 passed their MOT first time, against 62.7% for all cars first used in 2000. Across 2,694 Impreza first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, noise, emissions and leaks and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Subaru Imprezas first used in 2000 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
77.3%
of 852 first tests; all cars first used in 2000: 62.7%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,694
first tests, 2023–2025; 852 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
54.1%
of 852 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
105,000
middle half: 76,500–133,500 miles; all cars first used in 2000: 97,500

How the 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Imprezas first used in 2000 against all cars first used in 2000 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Impreza figure was 14.6 points higher.

2000 ImprezaAll cars first used in 2000
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2000, test year 2021: 57%All cars first used in 2000, test year 2022: 58.9%All cars first used in 2000, test year 2023: 60.6%All cars first used in 2000, test year 2024: 61.4%All cars first used in 2000, test year 2025: 62.7%2000 Impreza, test year 2021: 72.7%2000 Impreza, test year 2022: 73%2000 Impreza, test year 2023: 75.1%2000 Impreza, test year 2024: 77%2000 Impreza, test year 2025: 77.3%77.3%62.7%
View this chart as a table
Test year2000 ImprezaAll cars first used 2000Impreza first tests
202172.7%57.0%1,181
202273.0%58.9%1,018
202375.1%60.6%934
202477.0%61.4%908
202577.3%62.7%852

Common 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT failures

Share of the 635 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment40.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks37.0%
Suspension36.5%
Body, chassis, structure22.2%
Brakes21.6%
Visibility17.5%
Steering10.2%
Tyres7.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength18.4%117
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits16.5%105
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits11.3%72
Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.3%53
Position lamp: not working8.0%51

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2000 Subaru Impreza before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2000 Imprezas, as a share of all 2,694 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material8.2%221
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.7%181
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge5.0%136
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened4.3%117
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive4.2%113

Questions about the 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2000 Subaru Impreza?

In 2025, 77.3% of Imprezas first used in 2000 passed their MOT first time, against 62.7% for all cars first used in 2000. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2000 Impreza most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 40.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (37.0%) and suspension (36.5%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (18.4%).

How often does a 2000 Subaru Impreza fail its MOT?

In 2025, 22.7% of first tests on Imprezas first used in 2000 did not pass first time: 18.9% failed, and a further 3.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 635 of 2,694 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 8.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (6.7%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (5.0%), “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (4.3%) and “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive” (4.2%).

Is a 2000 Subaru Impreza reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 72.7% in 2021 to 77.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2000

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2000 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 2000 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2000 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2000 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 2000 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2000 Subaru Impreza MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2000 Impreza” means a Subaru Impreza whose date of first use falls in 2000 (V, W and X plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2000, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.