Reverse light may fail due to coating on the switch
- Defect
- Reverse light may fail due to coating on the switch.
- Remedy
- Replace the reverse light switch.
- Vehicles affected
- 1,543 WRX vehicles
- Built
- 25 Dec 2013 to 27 Oct 2021
- DVSA lists it as
- “WRX STI”
Car statistics
Subaru WRX statistics
How many Subaru WRX cars are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 1,805 DVSA MOT tests.
- Licensed in Great Britain 1,510 −2.0% on a year earlier
- Declared SORN 301 Off the road, not taxed
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 88.6% Cars of the same ages 71.4%
- Rank by number licensed No. 602 of 1,159 models we cover
- Peak year 2018 1,802 licensed
- Average annual mileage 4,248 miles a year
How many Subaru WRX cars are left in Great Britain?
There were 1,510 Subaru WRX cars licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 301 declared off the road (SORN). That is 16.2% fewer than the peak of 1,802 in 2018.
Subaru WRX cars licensed in Great Britain
The highest year-end count was 1,802 in 2018.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 116 |
| 2011 | 281 |
| 2012 | 430 |
| 2013 | 510 |
| 2014 | 872 |
| 2015 | 1,129 |
| 2016 | 1,457 |
| 2017 | 1,695 |
| 2018 | 1,802 |
| 2019 | 1,767 |
| 2020 | 1,725 |
| 2021 | 1,679 |
| 2022 | 1,639 |
| 2023 | 1,586 |
| 2024 | 1,556 |
| 2025 | 1,487 |
| 2026 | 1,510 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Fuel type
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Subaru WRX MOT reliability
In 2025, 88.6% of Subaru WRX MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Subaru WRX cars tested pass 71.4% of the time, so the Subaru WRX does better than average for its age, by 17.2 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 89.0%.
MOT first-time pass rate by age: Subaru WRX vs all cars
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Subaru WRX | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 years | 91.9% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 85.3% | 65.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common Subaru WRX MOT defects and advisories
The single most common reason a Subaru WRX failed its MOT in 2025 was “Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits”, on 15.5% of 206 failed tests. 28.8% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.5% |
| Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.7% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.8% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.3% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.8% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.8% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 5.3% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 5.3% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 4.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common advisories
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 9.3% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 5.1% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 4.4% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 3.7% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 3.2% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 1.7% |
| Anti-roll bars: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 1.3% |
| Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories | 1.2% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 1.2% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 1.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Subaru WRX annual mileage
The average Subaru WRX covers 4,248 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
Average annual mileage by age
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 8–10 years | 4,577 |
| 11–14 years | 3,979 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Subaru WRX registrations over time
Registrations of Subaru WRX cars for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 393 in 2014. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
Registered for the first time, by year
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 0 |
| ’06 | 0 |
| ’07 | 0 |
| ’08 | 0 |
| ’09 | 0 |
| ’10 | 116 |
| ’11 | 184 |
| ’12 | 153 |
| ’13 | 84 |
| ’14 | 393 |
| ’15 | 306 |
| ’16 | 352 |
| ’17 | 326 |
| ’18 | 102 |
| ’19 | 5 |
| ’20 | 0 |
| ’21 | 1 |
| ’22 | 0 |
| ’23 | 2 |
| ’24 | 1 |
| ’25 | 0 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Subaru WRX engine sizes and fuel types
Of the 1,550 Subaru WRX cars licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 99.9% have an engine of 2,401cc to 2,500cc.
Engine sizes, end of 2025
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 1,549 licensed | 99.9% |
| Other sizes 1 licensed | 0.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
Subaru WRX fuel economy and CO2
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Subaru WRX from 2011 to 2018. On the NEDC test (listings 2011 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 25.9 to 27.2 mpg, with CO2 of 242 to 252 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 petrol | 25.9–27.2 | 242–252 | 2011–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6b | 8 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
- Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
- Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “WRX STI AWD, From 2015 MY”, “WRX STI, 2011 MY”, “WRX STI 2011 MY”, “WRX STI, From 2018 MY”. How we use VCA’s figures.
Subaru WRX safety recalls
DVSA lists 3 safety recalls for the Subaru WRX since 1992, the first in 2016. The most recent was launched on 7 September 2022.
All 3 Subaru WRX recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Subaru WRX. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
Compare the Subaru WRX with other Subaru models
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru WRX | 1,510 | −2.0% | 301 | 602 | Petrol |
| Subaru Forester | 15,896 | −2.1% | 3,745 | 277 | Petrol |
| Subaru Impreza | 11,510 | −7.3% | 16,565 | 323 | Petrol |
| Subaru Outback | 9,169 | +0.6% | 1,014 | 348 | Petrol |
| Subaru XV | 7,033 | −1.8% | 136 | 386 | Petrol |
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 1,811 WRX records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 1,805 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
- Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
- Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
- First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
- Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
- MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.