2021 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 701 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 95.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.1% | 15 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 2 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 2 | Wipers | 9 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 5 | Headlamp cleaning device | 3 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.5% | 137 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.4% | 45 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.0% | 14 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 14 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 3 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 477 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 208 | 5.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 345 | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 352 | 4.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt
Before buying a 2021 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 2.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (2.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvts pass their MOT?
95.9% of the 701 2021 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Subaru Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt?
Tyres, recorded in 2.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.1%).
Does the 2021 Xv I Prem E Boxer Cvt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 5.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 701 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.