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Subaru XV reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 39,995 MOT tests of cars first registered 2012–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
82.2%pass first time
+3.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 75%of cars
39,995MOT tests

Verdict

The Subaru XV passes its MOT first time on 82.2% of tests, 3.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (78.5%). That puts it ahead of 75% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2021 XV does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 64%).

Better than average on visibility, tyres, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension ball joints2.3×as often as a typical car
Sidelights1.8×as often as a typical car
Brake lights1.7×as often as a typical car
Wheel bearings3.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%345678910111294%87%84%75%70%
Subaru XVTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2012
Beats 65%
2013
Beats 67%
2014
Beats 72%
2015
Beats 80%
2016
Beats 66%
2017
Beats 64%
2018
Beats 92%
2019
Beats 95%
2020
Beats 99%
2021
Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2012–201924,03584.8%Beats 82%A
2.0 Diesel2012–201713,64075.7%Beats 63%B
2.0 Hybrid2020–20212,32093.6%Beats 99%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 0.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.1 ptsTyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.9 ptsBrakes: 4.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes0.0 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.3 ptsExhaust: 0.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 0.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 6.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.1 ptsTyres: 2.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.9 ptsBrakes: 4.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes0.0 ptsSuspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.3 ptsExhaust: 0.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 5.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
6.8% vs 6.9%
Suspension
5.3% vs 4.9%
Brakes
4.3% vs 4.2%
Visibility
3.0% vs 3.8%
Tyres
2.9% vs 5.8%
Body & structure
1.0% vs 1.5%
Emissions & leaks
0.9% vs 1.6%
Steering
0.3% vs 1.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.5%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension ball joints 2.3× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Sidelights 1.8× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Wheel bearings 3.8× typical
    Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k94%88%82%76%66%
Subaru XVTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Brake pads2.4%1.9%1.3×
Sidelights2.2%1.3%1.8×
Brake lights2.0%1.2%1.7×
Suspension ball joints2.0%0.9%2.3×
Windscreen wipers1.9%2.0%1.0×
Tyre damage & cracking1.5%3.3%0.4×
Headlight aim1.3%2.2%0.6×
Suspension arm bushes1.1%0.7%1.7×
Tyre tread depth1.0%2.2%0.5×
Brake discs0.8%0.6%1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn37.2
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm23.0
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning21.7
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning19.6
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen19.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.3
A tyre seriously damaged10.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements10.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 Subaru XV1 engine93.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid1,29493.7%Beats 99%A
2020 Subaru XV1 engine93.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Hybrid1,02693.4%Beats 99%A
2019 Subaru XV1 engine91.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,41391.1%Beats 95%A
2018 Subaru XV1 engine89.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol5,02189.5%Beats 92%A
2017 Subaru XV2 engines84.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,01486.0%Beats 73%B
2.0 Diesel1,01779.8%Beats 40%C
2016 Subaru XV2 engines82.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,45384.2%Beats 71%B
2.0 Diesel2,23980.4%Beats 61%B
2015 Subaru XV2 engines82.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,81884.5%Beats 85%A
2.0 Diesel2,77880.8%Beats 75%B
2014 Subaru XV2 engines78.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,79076.0%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol2,49380.3%Beats 78%B
2013 Subaru XV2 engines74.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,63871.6%Beats 61%B
2.0 Petrol1,69677.8%Beats 79%B
2012 Subaru XV2 engines70.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,17867.1%Beats 57%C
2.0 Petrol2,12773.9%Beats 75%B

FAQ

What is the Subaru XV MOT pass rate?

82.2% of MOT tests on the Subaru XV were passed first time, based on 39,995 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2012–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 78.5% of the time.

Is the Subaru XV reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 75% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Subaru XV year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2021 XV does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 64%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Subaru XV?

The most common failure items are brake pads, sidelights, brake lights. Compared with similar cars, suspension ball joints comes up 2.3× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.