Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Subaru Brz?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 Subaru Brz?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 Subaru Brz?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2017 Subaru Brz reliable?

Based on MOT data from 151 vehicles, the 2017 Subaru Brz has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 Subaru Brz?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 Subaru Brz are: Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (25.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (24.5% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 Subaru Brz?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Subaru Brz (2017)

151 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.9% first-time pass rate

2017 Subaru Brz

CarHunch analysed 151 real MOT records for the 2017 Subaru Brz. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2017 Subaru BRZ is significantly more reliable than average, with a 92.9% first-time MOT pass rate well ahead of the UK's 80% baseline. Dangerous defects are present in 13.2% of vehicles tested—not a major concern, but worth a pre-purchase inspection on any used example you find.

At 32,927 miles average, these cars are running relatively light for their age, which partly explains the strong pass rate. The low failure rate of 0.54 per vehicle suggests good build quality, though advisories average 4.7 per car, so budget for some routine maintenance—check the full MOT history on any BRZ you're considering to see what work previous owners have deferred.

We have limited data for the 2017 Subaru Brz — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

92.9%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

13.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.54

Over 6.7 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

32k

Middle half: 21k–40k

For context

These stats describe 151 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 151 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 25.7%

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 14.4%

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 10%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 151 Subaru Brz cars.

Before you buy a 2017 Subaru Brz

Based on MOT data from 151 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 13.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Subaru Brz vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

31,838

typical

21,289

low mileage

40,302

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Subaru Brz vehicles fall between 21,289 and 40,302 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 21,289 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 21,289–40,302 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Subaru Brzs sit.

⚠ Over 54,407 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Subaru Brz — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 Subaru Brzs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 139 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 95% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.54

Avg failures per vehicle

4.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Subaru Brz: All Brz years → Which year to buy? →

2013 2014 2015 2016

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Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Subaru Brz stacks up against a rival.

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