2010 Subaru WRX 2.5L Petrol · BT60 DWD

The most recent MOT, conducted on 29 February 2024 at 107,617 miles, passed cleanly with zero defects recorded. This is a significant improvement over the preceding two years, during which the vehicle failed twice in rapid succession. The maintenance trend is therefore sharply improving. However, the clean pass comes after a period of serious neglect, meaning a buyer must verify that all remedial work was completed to a proper standard rather than merely patched through the test. The mileage pattern tells an unusual story. Between the December 2021 pass at 91,702 miles and the December 2022 failure at 100,133 miles, the car covered 8,431 miles in roughly twelve months. Yet from the January 2023 failure at 100,454 miles through the February 2024 pass at 107,617 miles, it added 7,163 miles over approximately thirteen months. The annualised average of around 6,726 miles is typical for a sixteen-year-old vehicle, but the clustering of failures in late 2022 and early 2023 suggests the car was driven hard during that period with little regard for upkeep. The subsequent clean pass and relatively modest mileage gain imply either more careful use or a period of reduced activity after the faults were addressed. The December 2022 failure is the most concerning entry on record. A fractured nearside front coil spring, excessively worn front suspension ball joint, insecure brake pad retaining pins on both rear and offside front calipers, corroded coil springs all round, a major exhaust leak, and a slipping power steering belt all point to a vehicle that had been driven well past safe serviceability. The fractured coil spring alone is a serious structural concern, as it can cause sudden suspension collapse. Any prospective buyer should have the front suspension inspected on a ramp, specifically checking the coil springs for cracks or corrosion, the front lower ball joints for play, and the anti-roll bar links and bushes. The brake caliper mounting hardware should also be physically verified, as insecure retaining pads are a direct safety risk. The exhaust system also demands close attention. Multiple failures cited major leaks at the rear and mid-section, a blocked tail pipe, and excessive carbon monoxide and lambda readings, indicating either a blown gasket, corroded silencer, or a failing catalytic converter. A thorough underbody inspection should check for fresh welding, replaced sections, or soot staining around joints. The power steering belt condition and tension should be examined, and the headlamp washers confirmed operational. Tyre wear across all four corners was flagged repeatedly, suggesting possible alignment issues or habitual hard driving. The clean 2024 pass is encouraging, but the severity of the 2022 defects means physical inspection is essential before purchase.