MOT data
Subaru Wrx MOT fail rate by age and year
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 3,327 MOT tests · Updated
At 8 years, 9.8% of Subaru Wrx MOT tests ended in a fail (adjusted to typical mileage), against 23.5% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 8 (1,275 MOT tests) [1].
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- Mileage: median 42,328 miles at 8 years against 60,745 for all class 4 vehicles, 1,275 MOT tests
- Before the mileage adjustment: 8.2% of MOT tests at 8 years ended in a fail, 1,275 MOT tests
- All ages: 3,327 MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, ages 7 to 9
Which engine and year a car has decides which of these apply. Check the reg first.
Figures are for the model, not one car, and compare with all class 4 vehicles tested at 8 in the same test year.
- Fail rate at 8 years, typical mileage
- 9.8%
- vs 23.5% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 8
- 1,275 MOT tests
- Fail rate at 8 years, raw
- 8.2%
- vs 23.5% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 8
- 1,275 MOT tests
- Median mileage at 8 years
- 42,328 mi
- vs 60,745 mi for all class 4 vehicles
- 1,275 MOT tests
Subaru Wrx MOT fail rate by age
Each line follows the cars first used in one year across the ages they were tested at from 2022 to 2025, so a line never mixes a 2005 car with a 2015 one. 3k DVSA MOT tests in all (3,327).
At 8 years and typical mileage that is 58% fewer fails than all class 4 vehicles tested at 8 (1,275 MOT tests).
| Age | Raw | Typical mileage | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 9.6% | 11.0% | 20.7% |
| 8 | 8.2% | 9.8% | 23.5% |
| 9 | 10.1% | 10.8% | 26.7% |
Lower MOT fail rate than average: 8.2% raw · 9.8% at typical mileage, against 23.5% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 8, 1,275 MOT tests. Which years? See the full verdict
What fails on a Subaru Wrx at 8 years
No part fails clearly more or less often than on cars the same age at 3 or more ages up to 18 years, so each is shown as about average.
| Part | Per 100 | All class 4 | Compared | Most common fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions and leaks | 2.6 | 2.1 | about average for cars the same age | |
| Lights and electrics | 2.3 | 7.3 | about average for cars the same age | |
| Tyres | 1.5 | 6.3 | about average for cars the same age | |
| Brakes | 1.3 | 4.8 | about average for cars the same age | |
| Visibility | 0.8 | 3.7 | about average for cars the same age | |
| Body and structure | 0.5 | 1.8 | about average for cars the same age |
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
Check one Subaru Wrx, not the average
The figures here describe Subaru Wrx cars as a group. A registration shows one car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.
- Check a Subaru Wrx's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- Mileage check on a Subaru Wrx The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.
- Check a Subaru Wrx for an outstanding recall Whether DVSA's MOT record flags an outstanding safety recall for that registration.
More Subaru Wrx data
Mileage at MOT
At 8 years, 8.2% of MOT tests ended in a fail as tested. Weighted to the mileage mix of all class 4 vehicles that age, the rate is 9.8%, so mileage explains part of the gap.
| Miles | MOT tests | Subaru Wrx | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| <30k | 304 | 4.6% | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 700 | 8.4% | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 232 | 10.8% | 26.6% |
Subaru Wrx recalls
3 DVSA recalls list this model by name [2]. Vehicles are DVSA's count of affected Subaru Wrx vehicles. The latest:
- R/2022/259 Also covers the Subaru Wrx: Reverse light may fail due to coating on the switch (1,543 vehicles of this model), built Dec 2013 to Oct 2021. From the recall's stated risk: “Reverse light may fail due to coating on the switch.”
- R/2019/106 Also covers the Subaru Wrx: Silicone gas may seep into stop light switch housing and lead to a conduction failure (6,975 vehicles of this model), built Jun 2010 to Sep 2016. From the recall's stated risk: “The vehicle’s brake lights may not operate properly.”
- R/2016/147 Also covers the Subaru Wrx: Engine may stall (255 vehicles of this model). From the recall's stated risk: “The crack on air intake ducts could cause the engine rough idle lower the power and the engine stall.”
Ask the seller for proof the work was done. Check any car on GOV.UK
Subaru Wrx against similar cars at 8 years
Same class and fuel, all tested at 8 years, at typical mileage.
| Model | Fail rate | 95% range | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Wrx | 9.8% | 7.8% to 12.3% | 1,275 |
| Audi TT MOT fail rate | 14.1% | 13.6% to 14.7% | 29,427 |
| Volkswagen Scirocco MOT fail rate | 21.8% | 21.2% to 22.5% | 19,237 |
| Mazda MX-5 MOT fail rate | 17.7% | 16.4% to 19.0% | 14,570 |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT fail rate | 22.1% | 20.6% to 23.6% | 11,010 |
| Jaguar F-Type MOT fail rate | 10.8% | 9.5% to 12.2% | 8,234 |
| Porsche 911 MOT fail rate | 12.7% | 9.8% to 16.2% | 6,995 |
| BMW M4 MOT fail rate | 14.4% | 13.2% to 15.7% | 6,637 |
| Mercedes-Benz SLC MOT fail rate | 21.9% | 19.8% to 24.0% | 5,715 |
Other Subaru models
More Subaru Wrx data
Running costs
By part
Problems, recalls and costs
Questions people ask
How often does a Subaru Wrx fail its MOT at 8 years?
9.8% of MOT tests at 8 years ended in a fail at typical mileage (8.2% as tested), from 1,275 MOT tests, against 23.5% for all class 4 vehicles the same age; the Audi TT was at 14.1%.
What fails most on a Subaru Wrx at 8 years?
2.6 in 100 MOT tests at 8 years failed on emissions and leaks, then lights and electrics (2.3) and tyres (1.5), from 1,275 MOT tests.
How does the Subaru Wrx compare with the Audi TT?
At 8 years the Subaru Wrx failed 9.8% of MOT tests at typical mileage, the Audi TT 14.1% and the Volkswagen Scirocco 21.8%, from 1,275, 29,427 and 19,237 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 3,327 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Vehicle safety recalls data. DVSA recall data. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Cars tested at 8 years are compared only with vehicles tested at 8 years in the same year, adjusted to typical mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data.