Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Subaru Wrx?

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 2016 Subaru Wrx?

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 2016 Subaru Wrx?

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 2016 Subaru Wrx reliable?

Based on MOT data from 356 vehicles, the 2016 Subaru Wrx has a first-time MOT pass rate of 93.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Subaru Wrx?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Subaru Wrx are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (32.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (30.9% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21% 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 2016 Subaru Wrx?

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 Wrx (2016)

356 real MOT outcomes analysed • 93.1% first-time pass rate

2016 Subaru Wrx

CarHunch analysed 356 real MOT records for the 2016 Subaru Wrx. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 356 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2016 Subaru WRX is a genuinely reliable prospect, with a 93.1% first-time MOT pass rate that sits well above the UK average of 80%—and the 14.6% dangerous defect rate, while not negligible, isn't unusually high for a performance car. This is a vehicle that rewards conscientious ownership.

At just over 36,000 miles on average, these cars have been relatively well looked after, which likely explains the strong pass rate and the modest 0.56 failures per vehicle. The 4.4 advisories per test suggest routine wear items rather than systemic issues, so focus your pre-purchase inspection on service history and any signs of hard driving or track use.

The 2016 Subaru Wrx passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (93.1% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ 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

93.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

14.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.56

Over 7.1 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 24k–45k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 93.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 356 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.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 356 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 32.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · 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 15.7%

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

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

Other issues 7.4%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Exhaust & emissions 7.1%

Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 356 Subaru Wrx cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Subaru Wrx

Based on MOT data from 356 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 14.6% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,116 Subaru Wrx vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 35.7%

756

White 20.6%

436

Grey 16.7%

354

Black 15.8%

335

Silver 8.9%

189

Red 2.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Subaru Wrx 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.

35,309

typical

24,161

low mileage

45,348

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Subaru Wrx vehicles fall between 24,161 and 45,348 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 24,161 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.

✓ 24,161–45,348 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Subaru Wrxs sit.

⚠ Over 61,219 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Subaru Wrx — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Subaru Wrxs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 308 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% 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

7.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.56

Avg failures per vehicle

4.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Subaru Wrx stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?