Does the Subaru WRX fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Subaru WRX records 4.60 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 2.13 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+2.47, 95% interval +2.07 to +2.88). It ranks 80 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Subaru WRX by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Subaru WRX is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 184 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 184 | 1.70 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 101 | 0.93 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 101 | 0.93 |
| Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective | 43 | 0.40 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 10,843 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Subaru WRX by postcode area · Subaru WRX body, chassis and structure failures · Subaru WRX brakes failures · Subaru WRX vehicle identification failures · Subaru WRX lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Subaru WRX steering failures · Subaru WRX suspension failures · Subaru WRX tyres failures · Subaru WRX visibility failures