Small SUV · 2011–2021 cars
Subaru XV reliability
The Subaru XV fails 17.8% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 19,255 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Subaru XV before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 17.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 19,255
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Subaru XV ages
Each point is the share of Subaru XVs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Subaru XV | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 12% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 15.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 20.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22.2% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 31.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 31.3% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 31.1% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Subaru XV years
2019 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 204 | 5.9% | 46% fewer fails | 21,913 |
| 2020 | 494 | 7.3% | 37% fewer fails | 24,394 |
| 2019 XV | 2,563 | 8.3% | 34% fewer fails | 27,782 |
| 2018 XV | 3,719 | 10.1% | 28% fewer fails | 32,815 |
| 2017 XV | 2,071 | 16.3% | 4% fewer fails | 41,002 |
| 2016 XV | 2,454 | 18.7% | 6% fewer fails | 50,001 |
| 2015 XV | 2,141 | 20.1% | 14% fewer fails | 60,208 |
| 2014 XV | 2,017 | 25.6% | 5% fewer fails | 70,890 |
| 2013 XV | 1,859 | 27.6% | 8% fewer fails | 75,395 |
| 2012 XV | 1,724 | 30.7% | 9% fewer fails | 83,271 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Subaru XV
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics6.6%3% above avg
- Suspension5.1%7% above avg
- Brakes4.5%10% above avg
- Tyres2.9%48% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.9%20% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1%27% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%34% below avg
- Steering0.3%70% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%37% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.19% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 1.87% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Position lamp not working 1.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.67% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.57% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.1% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.96% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.76% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Subaru XV's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.68%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.3%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.11%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.88%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.98%
- Suspension ball joint slight play1.91%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Subaru XV
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Subaru XV covers about 7,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol68.3%
- Diesel27.6%
- Hybrid4.1%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Grey, White, Red
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Subaru XV compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus UX | 5.8% | 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | 28.1% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru XV | 17.8% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen T-Cross | 10.6% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kamiq | 10.7% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia XCeed | 12.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Tivoli | 26.6% | 53% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Subaru models.
Questions
Subaru XV questions, answered
Is the Subaru XV reliable?
On MOT results, the Subaru XV is about average: it fails 17.8% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Subaru XV MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Subaru XV are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.19% of tests), stop lamp not working (1.87% of tests), position lamp not working (1.83% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6.6% of its tests.
Which Subaru XV year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Subaru XV do a year?
A typical Subaru XV covers about 7,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Subaru XV before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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