Sports car and convertible · 1996–2021 cars
Subaru WRX reliability
The Subaru WRX fails 10.8% of first MOT tests, 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 7,146 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Subaru WRX before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 10.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 53% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 7,146
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Subaru WRX ages
Each point is the share of Subaru WRXs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Subaru WRX | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5.8% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 6.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 8.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 7.9% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 8.2% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 14.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 16.7% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 17.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 12.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 17% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Subaru WRX years
2016 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 339 | 4.4% | 64% fewer fails | 21,724 |
| 2017 WRX | 1,180 | 7.8% | 47% fewer fails | 29,275 |
| 2016 WRX | 1,312 | 7.5% | 59% fewer fails | 39,884 |
| 2015 WRX | 1,071 | 9.2% | 57% fewer fails | 47,456 |
| 2014 WRX | 1,396 | 11.2% | 53% fewer fails | 49,052 |
| 2013 | 303 | 19.8% | 33% fewer fails | 64,035 |
| 2012 | 476 | 15.8% | 48% fewer fails | 69,896 |
| 2011 | 496 | 15.9% | 55% fewer fails | 77,217 |
| 2010 | 266 | 19.9% | 45% fewer fails | 73,972 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Subaru WRX
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 61% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics4%48% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%61% above avg
- Tyres2%63% below avg
- Brakes1.6%67% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.3%66% below avg
- Suspension1%84% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.8%62% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%53% above avg
- Steering0.2%86% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Lambda reading outside specified limits 0.92% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 2
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 0.9% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 3
Carbon monoxide high, default limits 0.7% of tests
High carbon monoxide at fast idle suggests engine or exhaust-emission faults, so diagnosis is recommended before buying.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.63% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.6% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.59% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Registration plate lamp not working 0.59% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 8
Position lamp not working 0.56% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Subaru WRX's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.12%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.9%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.81%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.2%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion1.51%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak1.19%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Subaru WRX
- 1
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 2
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 3
Carbon monoxide high, default limits
High carbon monoxide at fast idle suggests engine or exhaust-emission faults, so diagnosis is recommended before buying.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Subaru WRX covers about 5,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Blue, White, Grey, Black, Silver
Average engine size: 2.4 litres.
Compare
How the Subaru WRX compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari California | 5.6% | 67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin Vanquish | 6.4% | 63% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ferrari 488 | 3.9% | 62% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru WRX | 10.8% | 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chrysler Crossfire | 33% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo GT | 45.9% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Wind | 38.9% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Subaru models.
Questions
Subaru WRX questions, answered
Is the Subaru WRX reliable?
On MOT results, the Subaru WRX is better than average: it fails 10.8% of first MOT tests, 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 20 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Subaru WRX MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Subaru WRX are lambda reading outside specified limits (0.92% of tests), carbon monoxide high after fast idle (0.9% of tests), carbon monoxide high, default limits (0.7% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 4% of its tests.
Which Subaru WRX year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Subaru WRX do a year?
A typical Subaru WRX covers about 5,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Subaru WRX before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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