Subaru
Wrx
3,510 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Wrxs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 12.9 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
90.4%
Pass-after-fix
2.6%
Fail
6.4%
Avg miles
53,289
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Wrx: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,821 MOT tests, the Wrx returns 89.7% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. Emissions levels exceed default limits and lambda coefficient outside the default limits round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 48,870, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 18–32
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
18–32
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
47 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
37 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
24 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view
20 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 05
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
20 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 06
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
20 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 07
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
19 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
Emissions levels exceed default limits
19 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
Emissions levels exceed default limits
16 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 10
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
14 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£68–£130
If every one of this Wrx's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Motor World
Motor World Subaru Impreza 2007- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Subaru XV 2013- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Draper Expert
Draper Expert Engine Timing Kit (Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Ford, Lancia, Peugeot, Subaru, Suzuki, Vauxhall)
£157.29
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
2 UK recalls on record.
The Wrx has 2 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Wrx?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Wrx and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.