2014 Subaru WRX 2.5L Petrol · SN64 VKW

The Subaru WRX presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, with the most recent test on 3 December 2025 at 57,476 miles passing cleanly with zero defects recorded. That clean bill of health followed a failure on the same day at 57,468 miles, where the tester flagged both front tyres worn below the 1.6mm legal limit with severe inner edge wear, alongside excessive carbon monoxide emissions at the second fast idle. The fact that the car passed a retest just hours later indicates the previous owner addressed both issues promptly, suggesting a responsive rather than neglectful approach to upkeep. The mileage pattern tells an unusual story. Between November 2024 at 47,000 miles and December 2025 at 57,476 miles, the car covered 10,476 miles in roughly thirteen months, a sharp acceleration from the prior annual average of approximately 4,790 miles. Before that, the vehicle sat at 38,844 miles in November 2022 and 43,169 miles in November 2023, reflecting a gentle, low-mileage history for a 2014 model. The sudden spike in use during 2025 could indicate a change in ownership or a shift to regular commuting, which places fresh stress on components that had seen relatively light service. The recurring theme across the record is front tyre wear, specifically inner edge degradation. The November 2022 advisory flagged both front tyres worn on the edge, and the December 2025 failure repeated the same pattern in more severe form. Inner edge wear on a WRX typically points to worn suspension bushes, deteriorated front lower arm compliance joints, or incorrect tracking geometry. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension inspected thoroughly, paying close attention to the condition of the front lower arm bushes, ball joints, and tie rod ends. The inner wing arches and subframe should also be examined for corrosion, as salt ingress on these structural areas is a known concern on performance saloons of this era. The exhaust emissions failure in December 2025, while rectified quickly, warrants attention. Elevated carbon monoxide at fast idle often indicates a rich-running condition, potentially from a failing oxygen sensor, degraded catalytic converter, or an engine management fault. A live diagnostic scan to check fuel trim values and sensor health would be prudent. Overall, the MOT record suggests a car that has been maintained reactively but effectively, with no structural or mechanical red flags persisting beyond the December 2025 retest. The tyre wear pattern, however, remains the single most telling indicator of underlying suspension condition that a physical inspection must verify.