Used car guide

2012 Subaru XV: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Subaru XVs, from 501 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

501MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Subaru XVs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Subaru XV
    24.2% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint3.4× usual
    Subaru XV
    18.8% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.2× usual
    Subaru XV
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2012 Subaru XV MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    28% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Subaru XV?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021575Tyres 23%
2019948Tyres 25%
20181,098Tyres 21%
2017606Suspension 25%
2016720Suspension 30%
2015631Suspension 37%
2014618Suspension 44%
2013546Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Subaru XVs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score