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Subaru XV lights and electrics problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 3,394 MOT tests · Updated

At 6 years, 3.8 in 100 MOT tests of the Subaru XV failed on lights and electrics, against 4.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,394 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 130 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 10 ages from 3 to 12 years, 25,118 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Side/position light not working, 1.6 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

3.8 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 4.7 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A lights and electrics fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Walk round with the lights, indicators, brake lights and hazards on (ask someone to press the pedal) and check every dashboard warning light goes out after starting.

Subaru XV lights and electrics fails by age

Subaru XV lights and electrics fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Subaru XV. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.0510153 years: 0.8 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 2,234 MOT tests34 years: 1.4 per 100 (all cars 3.1), 2,963 MOT tests45 years: 2.8 per 100 (all cars 3.7), 2,995 MOT tests56 years: 3.8 per 100 (all cars 4.7), 3,394 MOT tests67 years: 4.8 per 100 (all cars 5.8), 3,074 MOT tests78 years: 8.5 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 2,621 MOT tests89 years: 9.6 per 100 (all cars 9.2), 2,592 MOT tests910 years: 12.5 per 100 (all cars 11.2), 2,415 MOT tests1011 years: 15.4 per 100 (all cars 13.3), 1,757 MOT tests1112 years: 17.2 per 100 (all cars 15.4), 1,073 MOT tests12
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Subaru XV All class 4 vehicles the same age
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
32,2340.92.9
42,9631.43.1
52,9952.83.7
63,3943.84.7
73,0744.85.8
82,6218.57.3
92,5929.69.2
102,41512.511.2
111,75715.413.3
121,07317.215.4

All first-use years of the Subaru XV pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.

What fails in the lights and electrics at 6 years

Fails

  • Side/position light not working: 1.6 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Replace exterior lamp bulb (position, stop, indicator, fog, reverse, number plate): estimated £11–£47 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £3–£8) Position lamp not working MOT fail
  • Brake light not working: 1.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.7. Replace exterior lamp bulb (position, stop, indicator, fog, reverse, number plate): estimated £11–£47 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £3–£8) Stop lamp not working MOT fail

Replace exterior lamp bulb (position, stop, indicator, fog, reverse, number plate) cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

Buying a Subaru XV? Check that exact car before the viewing.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

Walk round with the lights, indicators, brake lights and hazards on (ask someone to press the pedal) and check every dashboard warning light goes out after starting.

Check one Subaru XV, not the average

The figures here describe Subaru XV cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Subaru XV problems

Lights and electrics on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Subaru XV have more lights and electrics problems than other cars?

3.8 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 4.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 3,394 MOT tests).

How common are Subaru XV lights and electrics problems?

3.8 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,394 MOT tests).

What is the most common Subaru XV lights and electrics fail?

1.6 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years: Side/position light not working (53 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 25,118 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare