2007 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
11,536 MOT tests on the 2007 Subaru Impreza are in this dataset, and 79.6% of them passed. That is 6.6 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.4%) and emissions & environmental (8.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 1,045 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.9% versus 11.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 1,202 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 982 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 973 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.7% | 542 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 530 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 382 |
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 | 1,045 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 568 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 432 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 380 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 332 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 241 |
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 | 26.5% | 3,058 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.7% | 2,504 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.5% | 2,134 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 1,539 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 888 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 818 |
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 | 349 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,569 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,924 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,650 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,488 | 24.3% |
| 150k+ | 544 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,718 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 2,487 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 2,315 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 2,099 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 1,917 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Impreza
On a 2007 Impreza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (8.4% 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.
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 2007 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 11,536 2007 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (8.5%).
Does the 2007 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,536 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.