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Common problems by part

Subaru XV steering problems

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

At 6 years, 0.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Subaru XV failed on steering, against 0.5 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), 6 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 9 ages from 3 to 12 years, 22,155 MOT tests
  • MOT tests at 6 years: 3,394 for the Subaru XV

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

What the MOT tests show

What we know

0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

Subaru XV steering fails by age

Subaru XV steering fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Subaru XV. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.01233 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.1), 2,234 MOT tests35 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 2,995 MOT tests56 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.5), 3,394 MOT tests67 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.8), 3,074 MOT tests78 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 1.2), 2,621 MOT tests89 years: 0.4 per 100 (all cars 1.8), 2,592 MOT tests910 years: 0.7 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 2,415 MOT tests1011 years: 0.9 per 100 (all cars 2.5), 1,757 MOT tests1112 years: 0.6 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 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
32,2340.00.1
52,9950.00.3
63,3940.20.5
73,0740.20.8
82,6210.31.2
92,5920.41.8
102,4150.72.1
111,7570.92.5
121,0730.62.8

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 steering at 6 years

Advisories (not fails)

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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

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Play in steering rack inner joint(s).

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

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Subaru XV have more steering problems than other cars?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 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 steering problems?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on steering, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,394 MOT tests).

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.

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