Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 5 model years and 2,027 tests, the Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer passes its MOT 96.3% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 9.1% of the time, so this is 5.3pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.0%) and visibility (1.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Xv I Prem E Boxer fails 2.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.4% of tests failed in 2022 against 4.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Xv I Prem E Boxer model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 318 | 96.9% | 3.1% | Tyres |
| 2020 | 683 | 96.2% | 3.8% | Visibility |
| 2021 | 701 | 95.9% | 4.1% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 315 | 96.8% | 3.2% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.0% | 40 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.2% | 25 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 4 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 29 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 25 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 10 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 9 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 6 |
| 7 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 5 |
| 8 | Headlamp cleaning device | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.9% | 404 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 118 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.5% | 51 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.3% | 46 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 36 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 5 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,387 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 587 | 5.8% |
| 60-90k | 51 | 5.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 73 | 1.4% |
| 2023 | 308 | 2.9% |
| 2024 | 666 | 3.3% |
| 2025 | 980 | 4.5% |
What to check before buying a Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer
- Tyres (2.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer?
96.3% of the 2,027 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 3.8% fail rate, across model years 2019–2023.
What does the Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 2.0% of tests, then visibility (1.2%).
How much does mileage affect Xv I Prem E Boxer MOT results?
Fail rates run at 2.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 5.9% for 60-90k, a 3.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,027 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.