MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Subaru XV fail the MOT on steering more than it should?

The Subaru XV records 0.42 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.25 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.83, 95% interval −0.95 to −0.70). It ranks 342 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Subaru XV by registration

What exactly fails on steering?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Subaru XV is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 32 times in 2019–2024.

Subaru XV: most frequent steering defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated320.10
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play310.10

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 30,580 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Subaru XV 2012 · Subaru XV 2013 · Subaru XV 2014 · Subaru XV 2015 · Subaru XV 2016 · Subaru XV 2017 · Subaru XV 2018 · Subaru XV 2019 · Subaru XV 2020 · Subaru XV in Norway · Subaru XV in Finland · Subaru XV in the Netherlands · Subaru XV by postcode area · Subaru XV body, chassis and structure failures · Subaru XV brakes failures · Subaru XV vehicle identification failures · Subaru XV lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Subaru XV noise, emissions and leaks failures · Subaru XV seat belts and airbags failures · Subaru XV suspension failures · Subaru XV tyres failures · Subaru XV visibility failures