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Subaru Xv Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Subaru Xv car check

Is the Subaru Xv reliable? We analysed 50,367 real MOT tests across 6,047 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 50,367 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.3%
Typical Mileage
46,308mi
Annual Mileage
6,388mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
14yrs

The Subaru Xv is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Xv.

Subaru Xv Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Subaru Xv. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Subaru Xv MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Subaru Xv to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.3%
2021
88.6%
2020
91.8%
2019
90.5%
2018
87.4%
2017
85.8%
2016
85.4%
2015
83.3%
2014
82.2%
2013
80.2%
2012

Subaru Xv Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Subaru Xv models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 460
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 202
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 195
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 178

Subaru Xv Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Subaru Xv owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,865 mi/yr
Typical
6,388 mi/yr
Average
7,272 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,593 mi/yr

Subaru Xv MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Xv year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 330 90.3% 15,605 24,028 36,323
2020 245 88.6% 19,410 30,782 43,978
2019 4,223 91.8% 19,044 28,945 42,418
2018 6,425 90.5% 21,617 32,432 47,227
2017 4,483 87.4% 24,923 38,177 57,309
2016 6,218 85.8% 27,697 43,341 62,968
2015 6,156 85.4% 31,741 48,691 71,236
2014 6,990 83.3% 36,808 56,110 80,433
2013 7,428 82.2% 37,890 59,337 84,606
2012 7,491 80.2% 41,478 64,380 89,852

How Long Does a Subaru Xv Last?

Based on 6,047 Subaru Xv vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.5 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
14 years

Subaru Xv Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Xv MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
46,308 mi
75th Percentile
70,738 mi
95th Percentile
111,861 mi
Max Recorded
673,885 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Xv

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2019

91.8% MOT pass rate from 4,223 tests

Year to avoid
2012

80.2% MOT pass rate from 7,491 tests

The best year to buy a used Subaru Xv is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.8% across 4,223 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Subaru Xv Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Subaru Xv THIS CAR 85.3% 50,367 46,308 mi 14 yrs
Subaru Impreza 75.7% 915,729 83,083 mi 33 yrs
Subaru Forester 76.1% 456,470 85,220 mi 29 yrs
Subaru Legacy 72.5% 349,986 96,000 mi 35 yrs
Yamaha YQ50 69% 34,454 12,688 mi 28 yrs

Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Xv outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Subaru Xv?

The Subaru Xv has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.3% across 50,367 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Subaru Xv with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Subaru Xv owner drives around 6,388 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Subaru Xv models stay on UK roads for around 14 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Subaru Xv — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Subaru Xv reliable?
Based on 50,367 MOT tests, the Subaru Xv has a 85.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Subaru Xv?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Subaru Xv do per year?
The typical Subaru Xv does around 6,388 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Subaru Xv last?
Most Subaru Xv models stay on UK roads for around 14 years based on our analysis of 6,047 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Subaru Xv?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Subaru Xv?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Subaru Xv is 2019 with a 91.8% pass rate across 4,223 tests.