Subaru Impreza (1997)
1997 Subaru Impreza
CarHunch analysed 4,504 real MOT records for the 1997 Subaru Impreza. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1997 Subaru Impreza
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
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 (100%) | 4,482 | 73.2% | 2.92 |
| Other (0%) | 12 | 64.9% | 1.42 |
| LPG (0%) | 6 | 77.6% | 2.67 |
| Diesel (0%) | 4 | 76% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Subaru Impreza 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 1997 Subaru Impreza vehicles fall between 86,219 and 124,153 miles.
1997 Subaru Impreza — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 322 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (24% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 Subaru Impreza
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
38.4%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
-
36%
Oil leak
-
35%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
33%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
31.3%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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31%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
29.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
23.4%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Subaru Impreza?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.