CarVerify

Free Car Check

R438 DNP

1997 Subaru Impreza

Black Petrol 1994cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Oct 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

113,474 mi
Last recorded113,474 miles
Recorded on23 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 Subaru Impreza106,850 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Subaru
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR438 DNP
MakeSubaru
ModelImpreza
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,994cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 23 Oct 2025 113,474 miles

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

air bag lamp on.

rear seats missing at time of test.

Fail 20 Oct 2025 113,474 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

air bag lamp on.

rear seats missing at time of test.

Fail 22 Sep 2025 113,471 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

air bag lamp on

Pass 7 Oct 2024 108,504 miles

air bag lamp on

engine check lamp on

Fail 10 Sep 2024 106,471 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

airbag lamp on

engine check lamp on

Pass 21 Aug 2023 105,824 miles

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Aug 2023 105,816 miles

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Sep 2022 104,005 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2022 104,001 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Drive shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively chafed (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength under wheel arch at bottom & wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Outersill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Drive shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively chafed (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength under wheel arch at bottom (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Outersill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Road wheel fixing missing FROM ALL 4 wheels (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Feb 2020 103,649 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Sep 2018 99,395 miles

Brake fluid low

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Pitted/Scored - Inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Pitted/Scored - Inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Crack to the N/S (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Sep 2017 96,799 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 20 Sep 2017 96,782 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases blow from the front pipe (7.1.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 21 Sep 2016 91,045 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Some pitting to all brake discs

Pass 4 Sep 2015 90,758 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 7 Aug 2015 90,374 miles

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 27 Aug 2014 85,953 miles
Fail 26 Aug 2014 85,915 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 30 Aug 2013 76,769 miles
Pass 31 Aug 2012 65,413 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 31 Aug 2012 65,413 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 8 Jun 2012 63,191 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

rear exhaust box corrieded

Pass 8 Jun 2012 63,191 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

rear exhaust box corrieded

Pass 4 Aug 2011 60,359 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2010 56,080 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 16 Aug 2010 56,080 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2009 52,949 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2009 52,948 miles

Service brake is causing the steering wheel to severely pull one way (3.7.C.2)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 1 Aug 2008 49,156 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2008 49,156 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 10 Aug 2007 46,350 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2007 46,301 miles
Pass 3 Aug 2006 42,799 miles

How Reliable is the Subaru Impreza?

Based on 915,729 MOT tests across 72,693 vehicles.

75.7%
Pass Rate
4,996
Miles/Year
33
Year Lifespan
72,693
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 28,062
Registration plate lamp not working 19,494
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 17,247
position lamp(s) not working 16,099
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 15,281
Full Subaru Impreza reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R438 DNP is a 1997 Subaru Impreza in Black with a 1,994cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1997 Subaru Impreza models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.2% with a typical mileage of 106,850 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Subaru Impreza fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 28,062 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R438 DNP, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Subaru Impreza typically stays on UK roads for around 33 years. At 29 years old, this Subaru Impreza is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R438 DNP?

You can check the full history of R438 DNP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R438 DNP registered?

R438 DNP is a 1997 Subaru Impreza, first registered on 12 September 1997.

Is R438 DNP safe to buy?

The MOT history for R438 DNP shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R438 DNP have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R438 DNP. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.