DVLA verified
MOT valid
Tax valid

SUBARU IMPREZA1999 · 2.0L PETROL

V601 DFP

Vehicle Insight Summary

Free vehicle summary for V601 DFP: 1999 SUBARU IMPREZA (BLUE, PETROL). Mileage: 141,853. MOT: valid. Tax: taxed.

MOT
Valid
Expires 08/09/2026
Tax
Taxed
Expires 01/02/2027
Fuel
PETROL
Year
1999
Engine
1994cc
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle’s most recent MOT on 2025-09-10 confirmed it as roadworthy, but recurring issues with corrosion, brake components, and suspension suggest a stable but persistent maintenance trend. Key findings included nearside front suspension arm ball joint play, offside front brake hose corrosion, and underbody rust. While these were classified as advisories, the 2022 failure highlighted more severe structural corrosion and emissions non-compliance, which appear partially resolved. However, the persistence of brake hose corrosion and suspension wear since 2021 indicates ongoing exposure to environmental or operational stressors. Mileage progression shows the vehicle has accumulated 141,853 miles over 27 years, averaging 5,254 miles annually—a low rate suggesting infrequent use or prolonged inactivity. The MOT history reveals irregular testing intervals, with gaps of over 18 months between 2022 and 2024, and 2024 to 2025. This may reflect inconsistent maintenance practices, though the 2025 test’s passing status implies recent attention to critical systems. The 2022 failure, coinciding with 137,744 miles, underscores potential risks from prolonged neglect, though subsequent tests show partial mitigation of structural and emissions issues. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the front suspension bushes, brake calipers, and underbody corrosion, particularly around the chassis and exhaust system. The recurring brake hose corrosion and wheel bearing play from 2021 to 2025 signal potential long-term wear in braking components, while the 2022 structural corrosion warnings demand close scrutiny of the vehicle’s frame integrity. Tyre condition remains a concern, with multiple advisories on edge wear and near-limit tread depths. The exhaust system’s history of emissions failures also warrants verification of catalytic converter functionality and sensor calibration.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

Free vehicle health score

85
/ 100 · Good

Public record health check: Good.

Based on free DVLA & DVSA signals. Premium checks for stolen/finance/write-off history are locked below.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
! Older vehicle
A score of 85 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.
Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for V601DFP

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Stolen
Locked
Finance
Locked
Write-off
Locked
Salvage
Locked
Imported
Locked
Exported
Locked
Scrapped
Locked
Destruction
Locked
V5C Logbook
Locked

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Technical Specifications

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Full MOT History

MOT data last updated: 7/16/2026, 10:00:01 AM

Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle’s most recent MOT on 2025-09-10 confirmed it as roadworthy, but recurring issues with corrosion, brake components, and suspension suggest a stable but persistent maintenance trend. Key findings included nearside front suspension arm ball joint play, offside front brake hose corrosion, and underbody rust. While these were classified as advisories, the 2022 failure highlighted more severe structural corrosion and emissions non-compliance, which appear partially resolved. However, the persistence of brake hose corrosion and suspension wear since 2021 indicates ongoing exposure to environmental or operational stressors. Mileage progression shows the vehicle has accumulated 141,853 miles over 27 years, averaging 5,254 miles annually—a low rate suggesting infrequent use or prolonged inactivity. The MOT history reveals irregular testing intervals, with gaps of over 18 months between 2022 and 2024, and 2024 to 2025. This may reflect inconsistent maintenance practices, though the 2025 test’s passing status implies recent attention to critical systems. The 2022 failure, coinciding with 137,744 miles, underscores potential risks from prolonged neglect, though subsequent tests show partial mitigation of structural and emissions issues. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the front suspension bushes, brake calipers, and underbody corrosion, particularly around the chassis and exhaust system. The recurring brake hose corrosion and wheel bearing play from 2021 to 2025 signal potential long-term wear in braking components, while the 2022 structural corrosion warnings demand close scrutiny of the vehicle’s frame integrity. Tyre condition remains a concern, with multiple advisories on edge wear and near-limit tread depths. The exhaust system’s history of emissions failures also warrants verification of catalytic converter functionality and sensor calibration.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

Our records for this Subaru Impreza (V601 DFP) from 1999 show a total of 5 MOT tests between October 2021 and September 2025.

Across its entire MOT history, this Subaru has a 80% success rate (4 passes and 1 fails). This consistent performance at MOT centers suggests this vehicle has been kept in good order.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Brakes (6 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 23 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 6 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))”; “Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide

AI-powered analysis based on real MOT data and market insights.

Buying Score
40/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,500
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 141,853 miles is...

Our Verdict

This 1999 Subaru Impreza presents significant risks due to severe corrosion, high mileage, and repeated mechanical issues. Avoid unless you're prepared for extensive repairs.

Inspect the body structure thoroughly for corrosion, particularly around the front and rear underbody. Check suspension components for wear, as multiple MOTs mention anti-roll bar linkages and ball joints. Verify brake systems, as corrosion on brake hoses and worn tyres have been repeatedly noted. Be prepared to negotiate a significant discount due to the vehicle's age, mileage, and history of structural corrosion. Request full service records to confirm maintenance of critical systems.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — AI-assisted analysis verified by automotive experts.

Data Sources

DVSA

MOT test records from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.

DVLA

Vehicle registration, tax, and specification data.

OneAutoAPI

Market valuation, warranty, and recall intelligence.

AI Analysis

Machine learning insights trained on millions of UK MOT records.

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