2015 Subaru Wrx — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,480 MOT tests, the 2015 Subaru Wrx recorded a 93.3% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (16.4% fail rate), the 2015 Wrx comes out 9.7pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.0%) and emissions & environmental (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, tyre pressure monitoring system and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 44 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.8% once past 90-120k — 3.7× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.0% | 44 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 37 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 32 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 18 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.2% | 18 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 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 | 44 |
| 2 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 17 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 13 |
| 5 | Wipers | 11 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 10 |
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% | 213 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 153 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.9% | 72 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.6% | 38 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 36 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 27 |
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 | 304 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 797 | 6.9% |
| 60-90k | 314 | 7.0% |
| 90-120k | 57 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 304 | 5.9% |
| 2022 | 300 | 6.7% |
| 2023 | 301 | 7.3% |
| 2024 | 285 | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 290 | 6.6% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Wrx
On a 2015 Wrx, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2015 Subaru Wrxs pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 1,480 2015 Subaru Wrx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Subaru Wrx?
Tyres, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (2.5%).
Does the 2015 Wrx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 15.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,480 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.