2012 Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal — MOT failures & pass rate
423 MOT tests on the 2012 Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal are in this dataset, and 87.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 8.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.1%) and emissions & environmental (5.7%) 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 headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal fails 12.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 10.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 30 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 24 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.4% | 10 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.4% | 10 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 9 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.9% | 8 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 13 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 7 |
| 5 | Washers | 6 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 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 | 15.8% | 67 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 25 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 19 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 153 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 171 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 57 | 10.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92 | 13.0% |
| 2022 | 86 | 11.6% |
| 2023 | 82 | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 80 | 13.8% |
| 2025 | 83 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (5.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Tyres (2.4% 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.
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 Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cals pass their MOT?
87.2% of the 423 2012 Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Subaru Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (5.7%).
Does the 2012 Wrx Sti-Tp Uk Sym-Cal get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 30-60k band to 10.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 423 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.