Subaru WRX MOT pass rate and common problems
93.1% of 3,256 Subaru WRX MOT tests pass.
The WRX passes its MOT 93.1% of the time — well above the average across all Subaru models, which sits at 80.9%.
The Subaru WRX passes its MOT 93.1% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Subaru WRX?
This is the average across every Subaru WRX 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 stays relatively stable with age: 94.0% at 3–6 years versus 94.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 94.0% | 116 | 32,671 miles |
| 6–10 years | 93.5% | 2,356 | 46,754 miles |
| 10–15 years | 91.4% | 651 | 70,741 miles |
| 15+ years | 94.6% | 130 | 93,276 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Subaru WRX
The most common reason the Subaru WRX fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 43.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 43.0% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 35.7% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits |
| Tyres | 19.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 13.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 9.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 8.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.1% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Not functioning as intended |
| Steering | 1.0% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Subaru WRX: what to check
These checks follow the Subaru WRX’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 WRX comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 93.5% to 91.4%. 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: 96.3% down to 93.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 43.0% of failed Subaru WRX MOTs. 4.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.9% at 3–6 years.
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.
2. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 35.7% of failed Subaru WRX MOTs.
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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 19.4% of failed Subaru WRX MOTs.
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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 13.1% of failed Subaru WRX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.4% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes.
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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 9.6% of failed Subaru WRX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.7% 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.
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 Outback — 81.2% pass rate
- Subaru XV — 85.1% pass rate
- Subaru Legacy — 71.2% pass rate
- Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr — 95.6% pass rate
- Subaru BRZ — 92.4% pass rate
- Subaru Levorg — 90.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru WRX?
- 93.1% of Subaru WRX MOT tests pass, based on 3,256 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Subaru WRX?
- The most common reason the Subaru WRX fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 43.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Subaru WRX?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Subaru WRX are lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; tyres. 4.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.9% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Subaru WRX?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers. 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 WRX'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.