Subaru Impreza Sport AWD (1999)
1999 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD
CarHunch analysed 248 real MOT records for the 1999 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1999 Impreza Sport has a serious reliability problem: only 51% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in ten (10.1%) develop dangerous defects. You're looking at a car that needs real mechanical scrutiny before purchase, not just a casual inspection.
At just over 100,000 miles on average, these cars are hitting their age and mileage limits hard—they're accumulating 1.74 failures and 5.4 advisories per test, suggesting systemic wear rather than isolated issues. If you're considering one, budget for immediate repairs beyond the MOT failure itself, and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, exhaust, and braking systems where older Imprezas typically fail.
What to check before buying a 1999 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Subaru Impreza Sport AWD
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 244 | 50.8% | 1.74 |
| Other (2%) | 4 | 60.8% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1999 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD vehicles fall between 78,304 and 120,832 miles.
1999 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 (40% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Subaru Impreza Sport AWD?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.