Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Subaru Xv?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Subaru Xv?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Subaru Xv?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2016 Subaru Xv vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Subaru Xv reliable?

Based on MOT data from 735 vehicles, the 2016 Subaru Xv has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Subaru Xv?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Subaru Xv are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (25.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22.6% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (22.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Subaru Xv?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Subaru Xv (2016)

735 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.8% first-time pass rate

2016 Subaru Xv

CarHunch analysed 735 real MOT records for the 2016 Subaru Xv. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Subaru XV is a reliably built car, with an 87.7% first-time MOT pass rate that comfortably beats the UK average of 80%—though the 21.2% of vehicles that have suffered dangerous defects is a genuine concern worth investigating on a pre-purchase inspection. Petrol models perform slightly better than diesel versions (88.8% versus 85.9%), suggesting the petrol engine is the more robust choice.

At 45,759 miles on average, these cars have clocked up typical mileage for their age, and the 1.12 average failures per vehicle indicates most get through with only minor remedial work needed. Focus your pre-purchase checks on brakes, suspension, and any history of dangerous faults; once sorted, expect frequent minor advisories (averaging 8.1 per test) rather than serious problems.

The 2016 Subaru Xv passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (87.8%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

87.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

21.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.12

Over 8.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

39k

Middle half: 27k–51k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 87.8% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 8.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 735 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 735 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 25.6%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 22.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 10.1%

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 735 Subaru Xv cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Subaru Xv

Based on MOT data from 735 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (61%)	448	88.8%	1.01
Diesel (39%)	287	86.2%	1.29

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,945 Subaru Xv vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 20.8%

1,235

Silver 20.2%

1,200

Grey 18.1%

1,075

Red 16.8%

1,000

White 15.9%

948

Black 3.5%

211

Orange 1.6%

Green 1.5%

Maroon 1.2%

Brown 0.2%

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Subaru Xv vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

39,238

typical

27,160

low mileage

51,401

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Subaru Xv vehicles fall between 27,160 and 51,401 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 27,160 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 27,160–51,401 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Subaru Xvs sit.

⚠ Over 69,391 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Subaru Xv — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Subaru Xvs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 695 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.12

Avg failures per vehicle

8.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Subaru Xv: All Xv years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Subaru Xv stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?