MOT fail rates by first-use year
2008 Subaru Impreza MOT fail rate and common faults
How Subaru Impreza cars first used in 2008 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 3,483 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 16 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 16 years old, Subaru Impreza cars first used in 2008 failed 28.6% of MOTs (1,062 tests), 13.9 points below the 42.6% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 14 to 16 years old, the fail rate moved from 27.0% to 28.6%.
- Subaru Impreza cars first used a year earlier, in 2007, failed 28.7% at the same age of 16 years (2,051 tests, in 2023).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Subaru Impreza at 16 years, is catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits, at 3.3 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 1.2).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14 years | 27.0% | 1,237 | 40.3% | −13.3 pts |
| 2023 | 15 years | 28.3% | 1,184 | 41.6% | −13.3 pts |
| 2024 | 16 years | 28.6% | 1,062 | 42.6% | −13.9 pts |
Most common faults at 16 years
These figures cover all Subaru Impreza MOTs at 16 years: cars first used 2006 to 2009, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=5,870). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Side/position light not working Wear | 4.9 | 5.9 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 3.3 | 1.2 |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | 2.8 | 0.5 |
| Engine warning lamp at the petrol emissions check: not working or showing a fault | 2.6 | 1.9 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Coil spring broken | 2.0 | 3.9 |
| Headlamp aim: too low Wear | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| Driveshaft CV boot split | 1.8 | 2.9 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps Wear | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits | 1.5 | 0.3 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=5,870). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 11.2 | 18.2 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.4 | 11.2 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 6.6 | 8.7 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 6.6 | 8.8 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 5.7 | 6.8 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 5.1 | 9.5 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear | 4.9 | 5.9 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 4.4 | 5.3 |
| Anti-roll bar pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 3.9 | 0.8 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=5,870). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 16 years
These figures cover all Subaru Impreza MOTs at 16 years: cars first used 2006 to 2009, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=5,870). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 100.0% | 27.9% | 5,830 | 42.6% | 90,979 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 16 years
These figures cover all Subaru Impreza MOTs at 16 years: cars first used 2006 to 2009, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=5,870). At 16 years, Subaru Impreza cars at 90,000 to 120,000 miles failed more often (32.4%, n=1,915) than those at 60,000 to 90,000 miles (25.8%, n=1,932). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 25.8% | 1,932 | 41.4% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 32.4% | 1,915 | 45.9% |
Car tax rules for a 2008 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered from 2006 usually meet Euro 4, the petrol standard for the London ULEZ, so they usually do not pay the daily charge.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Subaru Impreza
More on the Subaru Impreza
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2008 Subaru Impreza cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.