2015 Subaru Wrx — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,480 MOT tests analysed for the 2015 Subaru Wrx, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (84.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 15.8% in the 90-120k group versus 4.3% in the 0-30k group.
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 | Brakes | 1.2% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 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
Before buying a 2015 Subaru Wrx, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.0% of tests for this year.
- 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 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.