Subaru Brz Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Brz car check
Is the Subaru Brz reliable? We analysed 7,849 real MOT tests across 996 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Brz? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Brz is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Brz.
Subaru Brz Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Brz. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Brz MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Brz to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Brz Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Subaru Brz models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Subaru Brz Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Brz owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Brz MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Brz year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | 94.4% | 15,233 | 21,224 | 31,133 |
| 2020 | 54 | 90.7% | 14,654 | 21,116 | 32,828 |
| 2019 | 318 | 91.2% | 16,089 | 24,357 | 34,910 |
| 2018 | 535 | 92.1% | 15,356 | 25,479 | 36,886 |
| 2017 | 1,077 | 91.7% | 20,158 | 31,257 | 44,706 |
| 2016 | 1,024 | 89.3% | 23,121 | 34,599 | 49,768 |
| 2015 | 1,151 | 88.2% | 24,423 | 38,476 | 54,928 |
| 2014 | 1,243 | 88.9% | 29,239 | 45,048 | 62,537 |
| 2013 | 1,536 | 89.0% | 29,624 | 47,720 | 67,857 |
| 2012 | 759 | 90.6% | 23,301 | 41,773 | 65,758 |
How Long Does a Subaru Brz Last?
Based on 996 Subaru Brz vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Brz Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Brz MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Brz
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.4% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
88.2% MOT pass rate from 1,151 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Brz is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.4% across 54 tests. The 2015 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Brz Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Brz THIS CAR | 89.7% | 7,849 | 37,360 mi | 14 yrs |
| Subaru Impreza | 75.7% | 915,729 | 83,083 mi | 33 yrs |
| Subaru Forester | 76.1% | 456,470 | 85,220 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Legacy | 72.5% | 349,986 | 96,000 mi | 35 yrs |
| MG C | 82.4% | 8,128 | 31,129 mi | 58 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Brz outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Brz you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Subaru BrzShould you buy a used Subaru Brz?
The Subaru Brz has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.7% across 7,849 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Subaru Brz with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Subaru Brz owner drives around 4,867 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Subaru Brz models stay on UK roads for around 14 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.