Subaru Forester common problems and MOT pass rate
In 2025, DVSA recorded 15,421 initial MOT tests on the Subaru Forester in Great Britain, and 70.7% passed first time. Here is where the rest failed.
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Subaru Forester at the MOT, 2025
- Initial MOT tests
- 15,421
- Passed first timeAll cars and vans: 72.1%
- 70.7%
- Failed at firstIncluding 5.3% repaired at the test and passed (PRS)
- 29.3%
- Had a dangerous defectAll cars and vans: 7.3%
- 5.3%
- Licensed in the UKEnd of 2026 Q2, plus 3,895 off the road (SORN)
- 16,119
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.
Failure areas
Where the Forester fails its MOT
The share of initial tests in 2025 with at least one fail or PRS item in each part of the MOT. A test can fail in more than one area, so these do not add up to the fail rate.
1Suspension
13.9%
Springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms and bushes, anti-roll bars, wheel bearings and axlesAll cars and vans: 9.0%
2Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
12.0%
Headlamps and their aim, brake lights, indicators, fog and reversing lamps, warning lights, battery and wiringAll cars and vans: 10.8%
3Brakes
5.6%
Pedal and handbrake, pipes and hoses, discs, pads and drums, and how well the car stopsAll cars and vans: 6.4%
4Noise, emissions and leaks
5.0%
Exhaust emissions and smoke, exhaust noise and fluid leaksAll cars and vans: 3.2%
5Visibility
4.7%
The driver's view, windscreen damage, wipers, washers and mirrorsAll cars and vans: 4.4%
6Body, chassis and structure
3.8%
Corrosion and damage to the structure, the exhaust system, fuel system, doors, seats, towbar, bumpers and engine mountingsAll cars and vans: 3.3%
7Tyres
3.6%
Tread depth, cuts and bulges, the right size and type, valves and tyre pressure warning systemsAll cars and vans: 6.2%
8Seat belts and airbags
1.2%
Seat belts, airbags and the airbag warning lightAll cars and vans: 1.0%
9Steering
0.8%
Steering rack, joints and linkages, power steering, the steering wheel and columnAll cars and vans: 2.0%
10Registration plates and VIN
0.3%
Number plates and the vehicle identification numberAll cars and vans: 0.3%
This modelAll cars and vans
Parts
The parts that fail most
Share of initial tests with a fail or PRS item on each part, 2025.
- Suspension armsSuspension6.5%
- Exhaust emissionsEmissions and leaks5.0%
- Headlamp aimLamps and electrics3.7%
- Position lampsLamps and electrics3.6%
- Anti-roll barsSuspension3.2%
- HeadlampsLamps and electrics2.8%
- Stop lampLamps and electrics2.5%
- WashersVisibility2.4%
By age
Pass rate by year first used
Older cars fail more often, so compare a car with others of its year. Cars up to 25 years old; years with fewer than 250 tests are left out.
| First used | Tests | Passed first time | Dangerous defect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 264 | 92.8% | 1.5% |
| 2021 | 740 | 89.6% | 2.7% |
| 2019 | 1,104 | 89.4% | 2.3% |
| 2018 | 923 | 83.3% | 3.3% |
| 2017 | 902 | 79.9% | 3.8% |
| 2016 | 1,180 | 74.4% | 3.9% |
| 2015 | 983 | 72.5% | 4.2% |
| 2014 | 1,121 | 69.3% | 5.2% |
| 2013 | 808 | 68.3% | 5.9% |
| 2012 | 409 | 63.6% | 3.9% |
| 2011 | 807 | 62.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010 | 688 | 54.9% | 8.7% |
| 2009 | 388 | 60.6% | 8.8% |
| 2008 | 512 | 61.3% | 5.9% |
| 2007 | 761 | 63.7% | 7.1% |
| 2006 | 791 | 60.9% | 7.0% |
| 2005 | 844 | 61.0% | 6.8% |
| 2004 | 694 | 65.1% | 6.3% |
| 2003 | 497 | 58.8% | 7.6% |
Mileage
Forester mileage by age
The median reading at the test: half the cars of that age had covered more, half less. Estimated from 1,000-mile bands, for cars up to 25 years old.
A car well above or below the typical figure is not a problem in itself, but the readings should rise steadily from one MOT to the next. A fall, or a long gap, is worth asking about.
Check a car's mileage record| Age at test | Median mileage | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 33,200 miles | 629 |
| 4 years | 35,900 miles | 346 |
| 5 years | 39,900 miles | 972 |
| 6 years | 47,800 miles | 855 |
| 7 years | 57,900 miles | 811 |
| 8 years | 67,000 miles | 1,100 |
| 9 years | 73,600 miles | 980 |
| 10 years | 83,900 miles | 1,096 |
| 11 years | 93,400 miles | 923 |
| 12 years | 99,700 miles | 539 |
| 13 years | 107,700 miles | 662 |
| 14 years | 112,800 miles | 768 |
| 15 years | 110,200 miles | 492 |
| 16 years | 110,800 miles | 413 |
| 17 years | 112,400 miles | 692 |
| 18 years | 113,600 miles | 791 |
| 19 years | 118,500 miles | 810 |
| 20 years | 122,400 miles | 786 |
| 21 years | 129,300 miles | 558 |
| 22 years | 128,500 miles | 342 |
Checking a particular Forester?
Averages tell you what to look at. The registration tells you about this car: every MOT since 2005 with its failures and advisories, each mileage reading, and whether it is taxed.
Questions
Subaru Forester: common questions
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.