2014 Subaru Brz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 615 MOT tests, the 2014 Subaru Brz recorded a 90.9% pass rate. That is 9.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 18.3%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.8%) and brakes (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2014 Brz fails 4.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.8% | 17 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.4% | 15 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.4% | 15 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 13 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 11 |
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 | 16 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 11 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 4 | Wipers | 6 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 5 |
| 6 | Washers | 5 |
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 | 16.3% | 100 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.8% | 97 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.1% | 44 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 24 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.4% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 18 |
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 | 64 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 278 | 6.5% |
| 60-90k | 204 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 62 | 8.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 128 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 120 | 9.2% |
| 2023 | 130 | 13.1% |
| 2024 | 117 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 120 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Brz
On a 2014 Brz, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.8% 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 (2.4% 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.
- Suspension (2.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2014 Subaru Brzs pass their MOT?
90.9% of the 615 2014 Subaru Brz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Subaru Brz?
Tyres, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by brakes (2.4%).
Does the 2014 Brz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 8.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 615 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.