Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOT pass rate and common problems
97.7% of 1,135 Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOT tests pass.
The XV I SE Prem E Boxer passes its MOT 97.7% of the time — well above the average across all Subaru models, which sits at 80.9%.
The Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer passes its MOT 97.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer?
This is the average across every Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Subaru’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 98.6% at 0–3 years versus 97.0% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 98.6% | 493 | 22,055 miles |
| 3–6 years | 97.0% | 642 | 25,701 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer
The most common reason the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer fails its MOT is tyres — present in 52.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 52.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 41.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.1% | Too high |
| Brakes | 8.7% | Significantly and obviously worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 2.2% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Road Wheels | 2.2% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.2% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer: what to check
These checks follow the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 98.3% down to 95.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 52.2% of failed Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOTs. 2.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 41.3% of failed Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 26.1% of failed Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 8.7% of failed Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 2.2% of failed Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Subaru service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Subaru models
- Subaru XV — 85.1% pass rate
- Subaru Legacy — 71.2% pass rate
- Subaru WRX — 93.1% pass rate
- Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr — 95.6% pass rate
- Subaru BRZ — 92.4% pass rate
- Subaru Levorg — 90.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer?
- 97.7% of Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer MOT tests pass, based on 1,135 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer?
- The most common reason the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer fails its MOT is tyres — present in 52.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics. 2.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Subaru service history guide for how to check and keep one.