Used car guide

2015 Subaru BRZ: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Subaru BRZs, from 114 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 114 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

114MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
6,100typical miles a year
25%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2015 Subaru BRZ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    21% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    12% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    4% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Subaru BRZ?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017144Tyres 17%
2016120Tyres 19%
2014111Brakes 21%
2013137Tyres 20%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Subaru BRZs registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score