Subaru BRZ (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 181 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,086

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc8 years old181 tests32k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Subaru brand average of 83%.

93% of MOT tests on Subaru BRZs from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 181 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 31,834 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models178th of 607(top half)

Rank among Subaru models31st of 184(top 17%)

vs average of all models+11%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+4%(89% avg)

vs Subaru average+10%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

31,834

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Subaru BRZ had 31,834 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2017 model has the lowest at 89%. The 2018 scores 93%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Subaru BRZ by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	100%	67	20,628 mi
2020	96%	48	24,780 mi
2019	90%	120	31,198 mi
2018	93%	181	31,834 mi
2017	89%	297	44,810 mi
2016	90%	197	44,193 mi
2015	94%	230	56,422 mi
2014	94%	212	66,497 mi
2013	90%	223	64,579 mi
2012	91%	131	62,699 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-6%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

-1%

Ford Kuga

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

-3%

MINI Cooper

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

-1%

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About the 2018 Subaru BRZ

The 2018 Subaru BRZ is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 181 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 31,834 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru BRZ owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 Subaru BRZ Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 Subaru BRZ?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Subaru BRZ Reliability Trend

The Subaru BRZ has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 Subaru BRZ

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 8 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2018 Subaru BRZ stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Subaru BRZ(2018)	93%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£8
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Ford Kuga(2018)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
MINI Cooper(2018)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2018 Subaru BRZ

Is the 2018 Subaru BRZ reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 2018 Subaru BRZs ended in a pass, from 181 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Subaru BRZ cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Subaru BRZ?

93% of 181 MOT tests on the 2018 Subaru BRZ ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 178th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top half).

Which year Subaru BRZ has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 Subaru BRZ has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2017 the lowest at 89%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Subaru BRZ?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Subaru BRZ is 31,834 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.