2012 Subaru Xv — MOT failures & pass rate
3,169 MOT tests on the 2012 Subaru Xv are in this dataset, and 78.3% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 22.2%, so the 2012 Xv sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.1%) and lighting & signalling (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, pins and bushes and position lamp — ball joint alone was recorded 241 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.3% versus 7.8%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.5pp more often than petrol ones (24.6% vs 19.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.1% | 414 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 387 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 182 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 100 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 88 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 71 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 241 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 169 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 148 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 148 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 95 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 92 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.5% | 1,060 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.6% | 780 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.5% | 650 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.2% | 290 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 209 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 169 |
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 | 64 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 563 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,177 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 910 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 363 | 27.3% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,715 | 19.1% |
| Diesel | 1,454 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 641 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 650 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 654 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 606 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 618 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Xv
On a 2012 Xv, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Subaru Xvs pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 3,169 2012 Subaru Xv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Subaru Xv?
Suspension, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.2%).
Does the 2012 Xv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,169 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.