Subaru WRX (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 640 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,086

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol2000cc9 years old640 tests37k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Subaru brand average of 83%.

94% of MOT tests on Subaru WRXs from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 640 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 36,734 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models84th of 540(top 16%)

Rank among Subaru models16th of 184(top 9%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2017 models average+7%(87% avg)

vs Subaru average+11%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

36,734

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 Subaru WRX had 36,734 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-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 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2011 model has the lowest at 90%. The 2017 scores 94%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Subaru WRX by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	96%	141	28,648 mi
2017	94%	640	36,734 mi
2016	95%	703	46,500 mi
2015	92%	583	54,244 mi
2014	93%	756	55,558 mi
2012	91%	102	69,429 mi
2011	90%	251	81,809 mi
2010	92%	118	79,656 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2015 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

85%

-9%

Hyundai Tucson

2019 · 1591cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

-4%

Hyundai i10

2017 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

-6%

Mercedes GLA

2018 · 1595cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

-4%

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About the 2017 Subaru WRX

The 2017 Subaru WRX is a family car. Our records list a 2000cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 640 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 16% of all 2017 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 36,734 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru WRX owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2017 Subaru WRX Fuel Costs

The 2000cc 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 2017 Subaru WRX?

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 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Subaru WRX Reliability Trend

The Subaru WRX has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2017 Subaru WRX

At 9 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 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

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 9 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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 2017 Subaru WRX 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 WRX(2017)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086
Ford Focus(2015)	85%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£8
Hyundai Tucson(2019)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Hyundai i10(2017)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003-£83
Mercedes GLA(2018)	90%	£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 2017 Subaru WRX

Is the 2017 Subaru WRX reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2017 Subaru WRXs ended in a pass, from 640 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 Subaru WRX 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 2017 Subaru WRX?

94% of 640 MOT tests on the 2017 Subaru WRX ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 84th of 540 models first registered in 2017 (top 16%).

Which year Subaru WRX has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Subaru WRX has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2011 the lowest at 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2017 Subaru WRX?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 Subaru WRX is 36,734 miles, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.