2011 Subaru Impreza — MOT failures & pass rate
979 MOT tests on the 2011 Subaru Impreza are in this dataset, and 83.7% of them passed. That is 6.6 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.8%) and suspension (6.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, catalyst emissions and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 57 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 15.7% in the 120-150k band, a 9.0-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 20.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 62 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 52 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 44 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 57 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 50 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 25 |
| 4 | Washers | 22 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 20 |
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 | 20.5% | 201 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.8% | 174 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.1% | 158 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 75 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 68 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.2% | 51 |
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 | 45 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 282 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 376 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 184 | 17.9% |
| 120-150k | 70 | 15.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 943 | 16.3% |
| Diesel | 36 | 16.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 186 | 11.3% |
| 2023 | 197 | 15.2% |
| 2024 | 209 | 18.2% |
| 2025 | 195 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Impreza
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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 (5.3% 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 2011 Subaru Imprezas pass their MOT?
83.7% of the 979 2011 Subaru Impreza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Subaru Impreza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2011 Impreza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 15.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 979 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.