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Common Subaru Xv Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs

Every known Subaru Xv MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 10,038 real MOT tests across 10 model years.

Segment: family car | Fuel: Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

87%

Subaru Xv pass rate

83%

Subaru average

82%

National average

The Subaru Xv has an average MOT pass rate of 87%, which is 4 points above the Subaru average and 5 points above the national average. Newer SUBARU XVs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Check Your Subaru Xv's MOT History

Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.

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Most Common Subaru Xv MOT Issues

Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Subaru Xv, with typical repair costs

Brakes

High likelihood

£80 - £450

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed

Failure points:

Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum

Suspension

High likelihood

£150 - £600

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded

Failure points:

Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking

Lights

High likelihood

£15 - £200

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated

Failure points:

Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure

Exhaust & Emissions

High likelihood

£80 - £800

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak

Failure points:

Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning

Steering

High likelihood

£100 - £500

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated

Failure points:

Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits

Tyres

Moderate likelihood

£50 - £300

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall

Failure points:

Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply

Body & Structure

Moderate likelihood

£200 - £1200

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage

Failure points:

Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness

Windscreen & Wipers

Lower likelihood

£10 - £350

Typical repair cost

Common advisories:

Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated

Failure points:

Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen

Is your specific car affected?

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Subaru Xv Reliability by Year

MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data

2012
80%
Worst year
2013
81%
2014
81%
2015
85%
2016
84%
2017
87%
2018
94%
Best year
2019
93%
2020
94%
2021
93%
YearFuelEnginePass RateFail Rate
2021Petrol2.0L93%7%
2020Petrol2.0L94%6%
2019Petrol2.0L93%7%
2018Petrol2.0L94%6%
2017Petrol2.0L87%13%
2016Petrol2.0L84%15%
2015Diesel2.0L85%15%
2014Diesel2.0L81%18%
2013Hybrid2.0L81%19%
2012Petrol2.0L80%19%

Most Reliable Year

2018

94% pass rate from 1,730 tests

View 2018 Subaru Xv details

Least Reliable Year

2012

80% pass rate from 863 tests

View 2012 Subaru Xv details

Subaru Xv Running Costs

Want to know the full annual running costs for the Subaru Xv? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.

View Subaru Xv Running Costs

Subaru Xv FAQ

What are the most common Subaru Xv problems?

The most common Subaru Xv MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, exhaust & emissions, steering issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 10,038 real tests.

Is the Subaru Xv reliable?

The Subaru Xv has an average MOT pass rate of 87%, which is 5 points above the national average of 82%. This is considered good reliability.

Which year Subaru Xv is most reliable?

The 2018 Subaru Xv is the most reliable year with a 94% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 2012 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 80%.

How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Xv faults?

Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Subaru Xv typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.

Check a Specific Subaru Xv

Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.

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