2012 Subaru XV 2.0L Petrol · SB61 NSV

The Subaru XV’s roadworthiness has deteriorated sharply in the past year, with the December 2025 MOT marking its worst performance yet. The most recent test at 105,683 miles passed without defects, but this followed a December 2025 failure just seven days earlier—an unusually rapid turnaround—where the tester flagged a critical steering defect in the offside front track rod end, a detached ball joint on the same side’s suspension arm, and near-exhausted rear brake pads alongside illegal tyre tread depths. This suggests the vehicle was either driven in an unsafe condition for nearly two weeks or that the issues were only partially addressed between tests. The pattern of repeated suspension failures, particularly the ball joints and track rod end, indicates chronic neglect of steering and suspension components, while the rear sub-frame corrosion noted in 2024 remains unresolved. The XV’s mileage accumulation aligns closely with typical usage for its age, averaging around 7,500 miles annually since 2023, with no extreme spikes or prolonged inactivity. The most recent 8,544-mile gap between the December 2024 and December 2025 tests is standard, though the back-to-back failures in late 2025 imply the vehicle was either poorly maintained or driven despite known faults. The absence of MOT records between 2023 and 2024 suggests either a clean history in that period or a lapse in testing, though the 2024 failures reveal underlying issues that were not fully resolved. A buyer should prioritise an immediate inspection of the front suspension, focusing on the track rod end and ball joints, which have shown progressive deterioration. The rear brake system demands attention, particularly the pad thickness and disc condition, given the repeated advisories and near-failure tread depths on rear tyres. Structural integrity is also a concern: the corroded rear sub-frame, while not yet critically weakened, should be checked for further deterioration, especially around welds and mounting points. Power steering functionality, which failed in December 2024, may have been addressed, but any fluid leaks or erratic assistance should be tested under load. Finally, the tyres—particularly the rears—require replacement, as the 2025 failure indicates they were driven at illegal depths for an extended period.