2012 Subaru Brz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 328 MOT tests, the 2012 Subaru Brz recorded a 90.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.8% of the time, so this is 12.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and brakes (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, tread depth and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 8 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 Brz fails 4.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 3.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 11 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.7% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 9 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 8 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 6 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 8 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 3 | Wipers | 5 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 3 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.0% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.4% | 57 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.1% | 20 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 8 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 7 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 49 | 4.1% |
| 30-60k | 129 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 100 | 13.0% |
| 90-120k | 32 | 3.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 66 | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 64 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 67 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 68 | 16.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Brz
On a 2012 Brz, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (2.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Subaru Brzs pass their MOT?
90.2% of the 328 2012 Subaru Brz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Subaru Brz?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by brakes (2.7%).
Does the 2012 Brz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.1% in the 0-30k band to 3.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 328 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.