Does the Subaru Impreza fail the MOT on seat belts and airbags more than it should?
The Subaru Impreza records 2.07 seat belts and airbags failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 2.93 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.86, 95% interval −0.96 to −0.77). It ranks 512 of 627 models on seat belts and airbags (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on seat belts and airbags · check a Subaru Impreza by registration
What exactly fails on seat belts and airbags?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Subaru Impreza is “The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired”, recorded 1,352 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 1,352 | 1.06 |
| An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction | 540 | 0.42 |
| Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended | 174 | 0.14 |
| Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 172 | 0.13 |
| Seat belt retractor not functioning as intended | 119 | 0.09 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 128,098 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Subaru Impreza gets a seat belts and airbags advisory, how often does it fail next time?
8.3% of Subaru Impreza MOTs with a seat belts and airbags advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 3,173 miles later (589 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 589 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Subaru Impreza 1998 · Subaru Impreza 1999 · Subaru Impreza 2000 · Subaru Impreza 2001 · Subaru Impreza 2002 · Subaru Impreza 2003 · Subaru Impreza 2004 · Subaru Impreza 2005 · Subaru Impreza 2006 · Subaru Impreza 2007 · Subaru Impreza 2008 · Subaru Impreza 2009 · Subaru Impreza 2010 · Subaru Impreza 2011 · Subaru Impreza 2012 · Subaru Impreza 2014 · Subaru Impreza in Norway · Subaru Impreza in Finland · Subaru Impreza in the Netherlands · Subaru Impreza by postcode area · Subaru Impreza body, chassis and structure failures · Subaru Impreza brakes failures · Subaru Impreza vehicle identification failures · Subaru Impreza lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Subaru Impreza noise, emissions and leaks failures · Subaru Impreza road wheels failures · Subaru Impreza steering failures · Subaru Impreza suspension failures · Subaru Impreza tyres failures · Subaru Impreza visibility failures