2011 Subaru Wrx — MOT failures & pass rate
653 MOT tests on the 2011 Subaru Wrx are in this dataset, and 88.1% of them passed. That is 11.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.2%. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (6.3%) and lighting & signalling (4.9%) 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 tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 51 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.2% versus 4.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 41 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.1% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 18 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.3% | 15 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 13 |
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 | 51 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 8 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 6 |
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 | 14.4% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 82 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 67 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 48 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 30 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.4% | 29 |
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 | 162 | 4.3% |
| 60-90k | 290 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 153 | 11.1% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 135 | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 132 | 11.4% |
| 2023 | 127 | 14.2% |
| 2024 | 138 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 121 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Wrx
On a 2011 Wrx, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (6.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (4.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.1% 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 2011 Subaru Wrxs pass their MOT?
88.1% of the 653 2011 Subaru Wrx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Subaru Wrx?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.9%).
Does the 2011 Wrx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 30-60k band to 22.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 653 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.