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Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) (2014-2021) reliability

Not enough data

Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) models built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Subaru WRX VA (4th gen)
2014-2021SaloonPETROL

Based on 1,444 tests of WRX models registered 2014-2021.

VA (4th gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2068.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3336.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
3329.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3909.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1839.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 9 years old.

How the WRX VA (4th gen) compares

At each age below, see how the WRX VA (4th gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 3,305 tests across 7 Subaru models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSubaru average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2068.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3336.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
3329.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3909.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1839.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the WRX VA (4th gen).

  1. 1

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    No clear edge over the Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Alfa Romeo Giulia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    No clear edge over the Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) on these figures.

    2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.4%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    No clear edge over the Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    21,428 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    No clear edge over the Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Subaru WRX.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

2 recalls in all

1 of the 2 WRX VA (4th gen) recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Silicone gas may seep into stop light switch housing and lead to a conduction failure

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How WRX VA (4th gen) cars have aged

How WRX VA (4th gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 3.7% (82 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 3.7% (81 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 2.5% (79 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 2.7% (75 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (77 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 6.2% (225 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 6.6% (212 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (203 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 8.7% (206 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 5.1% (195 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 7.0% (242 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (226 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (217 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.7% (206 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (216 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (234 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (213 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.6% (209 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (186 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (187 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 4.1% (194 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (193 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (198 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (180 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (183 tests, 2025 data)2014
First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016First registered around 2015
VA (4th gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Subaru WRXes of this age

This list covers every Subaru WRX built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the VA (4th gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    9.2%
    Advisory: 34Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.3%
    Advisory: 23Fail: 3 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.4%
    Advisory: 12Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.4%
    Advisory: 11Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    2.9%
    Advisory: 6Fail: 1 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 206 tests

Looking at a Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Subaru WRX VA (4th gen) (2014-2021) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 206 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,444 MOT tests on Subaru WRXes first registered between 2014-2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.