Subaru BRZ MOT pass rate and common problems
92.4% of 1,625 Subaru BRZ MOT tests pass.
The BRZ passes its MOT 92.4% of the time — well above the average across all Subaru models, which sits at 80.9%.
The Subaru BRZ passes its MOT 92.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Subaru BRZ?
This is the average across every Subaru BRZ in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Subaru’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 100.0% at 0–3 years to 91.1% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 100.0% | 68 | 19,911 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.2% | 306 | 27,226 miles |
| 6–10 years | 92.5% | 835 | 49,628 miles |
| 10–15 years | 91.1% | 416 | 64,669 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Subaru BRZ
The most common reason the Subaru BRZ fails its MOT is tyres — present in 45.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 45.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 29.7% | Not working |
| Visibility | 23.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 20.9% | Excessively binding |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Suspension | 11.0% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9% | Incorrect |
| Steering | 2.9% | Ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Subaru BRZ: what to check
These checks follow the Subaru BRZ’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Subaru BRZ comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 100.0% to 92.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.8% down to 91.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 45.9% of failed Subaru BRZ MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.5% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 29.7% of failed Subaru BRZ MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 23.3% of failed Subaru BRZ MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 20.9% of failed Subaru BRZ MOTs. 3.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.5% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 11.6% of failed Subaru BRZ MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.7% of tests at 6–10 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Subaru service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Subaru models
- Subaru XV — 85.1% pass rate
- Subaru Legacy — 71.2% pass rate
- Subaru WRX — 93.1% pass rate
- Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr — 95.6% pass rate
- Subaru Levorg — 90.0% pass rate
- Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer — 97.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru BRZ?
- 92.4% of Subaru BRZ MOT tests pass, based on 1,625 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Subaru BRZ?
- The most common reason the Subaru BRZ fails its MOT is tyres — present in 45.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Subaru BRZ?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Subaru BRZ are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers. Rare on young cars, but 6.5% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Subaru BRZ?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Subaru BRZ's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Subaru service history guide for how to check and keep one.