Used car guide

2015 Subaru WRX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Subaru WRXs, from 279 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 279 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

279MOT tests in 2025
92%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
5,400typical miles a year
16%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

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

  • Tyres
    16% 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
    12% 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
    10% 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
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017310Tyres 13%
2016322Tyres 18%
2014347Tyres 14%
2011107Suspension 19%

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