XV GT inspection checklist

Look for: Early XV GT cars are caught by the broad compulsory Subaru Takata recall affecting the passenger-side front airbag inflator, which can rupture and fire metal fragments. Repair is free.

Look for: Many owners and even some dealers treat the Lineartronic fluid as fill-for-life; in reality the friction modifiers degrade and stale fluid is a major contributor to shudder and premature CVT wear.

Look for: The Lineartronic CVT can shudder or judder at low speed, typically just after warm-up and under light throttle from a stop, caused by torque-converter lock-up clutch behaviour and degraded CVT fluid friction modifiers. Subaru's Lineartronic has been the subject of warranty extensions and overseas class actions; left unaddressed the chain/pulleys wear.

Look for: The FB20 boxer is a documented oil consumer; some examples use noticeable oil between services, and running low worsens engine noise, vibration and VVT operation. Severe consumers may eventually need ring/short-engine work.

Look for: The Hybrid uses the same Lineartronic CVT and suffers the same low-speed shudder/judder and torque-converter lock-up issues as the petrol when fluid degrades.

Look for: e-Boxer cars are sensitive to a weak 12V battery, which can trigger hybrid-system and EyeSight warning lights and no-starts; the small lithium drive battery is a long-term cost unknown out of warranty.

Look for: The hybrid still uses the FB20 boxer and can exhibit the same oil-consumption tendency.