2015 Subaru Xv — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,639 MOT tests analysed for the 2015 Subaru Xv, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 86.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (84.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 18.1% in the 120-150k group versus 7.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 225 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.1% | 185 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.3% | 158 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.3% | 119 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 98 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 130 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 108 |
| 3 | Wipers | 87 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 79 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 73 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.6% | 749 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.0% | 726 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.4% | 670 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.5% | 201 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 125 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 83 |
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 | 396 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,416 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,290 | 15.7% |
| 90-120k | 439 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 83 | 18.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,821 | 14.5% |
| Petrol | 1,813 | 12.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 712 | 8.8% |
| 2022 | 697 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 723 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 749 | 15.9% |
| 2025 | 758 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Xv
Before buying a 2015 Subaru Xv, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 6.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.1% 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.
- Brakes (4.3% 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 2015 Subaru Xvs pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 3,639 2015 Subaru Xv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Subaru Xv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by suspension (5.1%).
Does the 2015 Xv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,639 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.