2016 Subaru Xv — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,164 MOT tests, the 2016 Subaru Xv recorded an 87.2% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 14.1% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.7%) and brakes (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, brake pads and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 163 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 8.8%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.3pp more often than petrol ones (14.2% vs 11.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 18.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 280 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.8% | 158 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.8% | 156 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 90 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.9% | 79 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 43 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 163 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 101 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 94 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 78 |
| 5 | Wipers | 76 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 65 |
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 | 18.5% | 769 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.9% | 745 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.5% | 728 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.5% | 230 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 146 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 125 |
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 | 810 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,919 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,068 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 295 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 56 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,512 | 11.9% |
| Diesel | 1,652 | 14.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 815 | 9.2% |
| 2022 | 838 | 12.2% |
| 2023 | 818 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 851 | 15.3% |
| 2025 | 842 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Xv
On a 2016 Xv, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.8% 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.
- Suspension (3.8% 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.
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 2016 Subaru Xvs pass their MOT?
87.2% of the 4,164 2016 Subaru Xv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Subaru Xv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by brakes (3.8%).
Does the 2016 Xv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,164 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.