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R551 VAU

1997 Subaru Impreza

Green Petrol 1994cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Nov 2026
Tests21 (17 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate81%

Mileage

51,165 mi
Last recorded51,165 miles
Recorded on31 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR551 VAU
MakeSubaru
ModelImpreza
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

17 pass 4 fail
Pass 31 Oct 2025 51,165 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2024 50,678 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2023 50,407 miles

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

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

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 17 Oct 2023 50,407 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 7 Oct 2022 50,123 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2021 49,924 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2021 49,924 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 21 Sep 2020 49,588 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2019 48,840 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2018 48,066 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2017 47,144 miles
Pass 12 Feb 2016 47,022 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2014 46,899 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2013 46,838 miles
Pass 14 Jul 2012 46,711 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2011 39,010 miles
Fail 12 Jul 2011

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 9 Jul 2010 38,394 miles
Pass 16 Oct 2007 36,704 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2006 33,353 miles
Fail 12 Oct 2006 33,336 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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R551 VAU is a 1997 Subaru Impreza in Green with a 1,994cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R551 VAU, 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 R551 VAU?

You can check the full history of R551 VAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R551 VAU registered?

R551 VAU is a 1997 Subaru Impreza, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R551 VAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R551 VAU shows 21 tests with a 81% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R551 VAU 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 R551 VAU. 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.