Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 4 model years and 848 tests, the Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal passes its MOT 87.7% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (21.1% fail rate), the Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal comes out 8.9pp better. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.7%) and emissions & environmental (6.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 66 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.9% in the 0-30k band and 13.9% in the 120-150k band, a 8.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 45 | 82.2% | 17.8% | Emissions & environmental |
| 2011 | 47 | 87.2% | 12.8% | Emissions & environmental |
| 2012 | 423 | 87.2% | 12.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 333 | 89.2% | 10.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 57 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 51 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.4% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.2% | 19 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 17 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.9% | 16 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 11 |
| 8 | Other defects | 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 | Catalyst emissions | 66 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 3 | Wipers | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 11 |
| 7 | Washers | 10 |
| 8 | Stop lamp | 9 |
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 | 17.2% | 146 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 100 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 61 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 40 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 39 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.9% | 33 |
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 | 51 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 308 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 326 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 121 | 12.4% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 13.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 190 | 11.6% |
| 2022 | 179 | 12.8% |
| 2023 | 163 | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 164 | 14.0% |
| 2025 | 152 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (2.4% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal?
87.7% of the 848 Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 12.3% fail rate, across model years 2010–2013.
What does the Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, then emissions & environmental (6.0%).
How much does mileage affect Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal MOT results?
Fail rates run at 5.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 13.9% for 120-150k, a 8.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 848 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.