2018 Subaru Xv — MOT failures & pass rate
5,855 MOT tests on the 2018 Subaru Xv are in this dataset, and 92.7% of them passed. That is 2.6 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 9.9%. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (3.0%) and tyres (2.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and tread depth — brake pads alone was recorded 185 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 0-30k band and 15.9% in the 90-120k band, a 11.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.0% | 174 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.6% | 151 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 123 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 123 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 42 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 185 |
| 2 | Wipers | 132 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 59 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 36 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 24 |
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 | 18.1% | 1,058 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.3% | 899 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.1% | 418 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.1% | 242 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 139 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 56 |
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 | 2,722 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,496 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 571 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 63 | 15.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,426 | 7.0% |
| Diesel | 429 | 11.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,151 | 4.9% |
| 2022 | 1,165 | 6.3% |
| 2023 | 1,187 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 1,151 | 6.3% |
| 2025 | 1,201 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Xv
On a 2018 Xv, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (3.0% 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.
- Tyres (2.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% 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
How many 2018 Subaru Xvs pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 5,855 2018 Subaru Xv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Subaru Xv?
Brakes, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by tyres (2.6%).
Does the 2018 Xv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 15.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,855 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.