2017 Subaru Brz — MOT failures & pass rate
794 MOT tests on the 2017 Subaru Brz are in this dataset, and 92.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2017 Brz comes out 5.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.8%) and brakes (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and service brake performance — tread depth alone was recorded 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.4% once past 60-90k — 5.5× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 7.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.8% | 22 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.3% | 18 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 17 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 13 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 2 | Wipers | 18 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 10 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 5 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 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 | 17.0% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 98 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.0% | 24 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.8% | 22 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 10 |
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 | 337 | 3.0% |
| 30-60k | 382 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 61 | 16.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 149 | 3.4% |
| 2022 | 160 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 165 | 9.1% |
| 2024 | 165 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 155 | 7.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Brz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 2.8% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (2.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2017 Subaru Brzs pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 794 2017 Subaru Brz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Subaru Brz?
Tyres, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by brakes (2.3%).
Does the 2017 Brz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 794 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.