Family SUV · 1997–2021 cars
Subaru Forester reliability
The Subaru Forester fails 29.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 53,774 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Subaru Forester before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 53,774
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Subaru Forester ages
Each point is the share of Subaru Foresters of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Subaru Forester | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 21.7% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 23.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 28.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 31% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 33.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 36.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 38.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 39.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 39.8% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 38.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 38.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 37.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 38% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 40% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 38.5% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 39.3% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 39.5% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 37.4% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 36% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Subaru Forester years
2019 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 235 | 10.2% | 16% fewer fails | 25,831 |
| 2020 | 489 | 11.7% | 10% fewer fails | 27,661 |
| 2019 Forester | 2,975 | 9.3% | 29% fewer fails | 29,145 |
| 2018 Forester | 3,295 | 11.6% | 23% fewer fails | 36,141 |
| 2017 Forester | 3,079 | 15.6% | 14% fewer fails | 46,850 |
| 2016 Forester | 4,013 | 20.3% | 3% fewer fails | 55,650 |
| 2015 Forester | 3,340 | 23.3% | 4% fewer fails | 64,313 |
| 2014 Forester | 3,910 | 25.8% | 7% fewer fails | 73,773 |
| 2013 Forester | 2,817 | 28.2% | 11% fewer fails | 85,529 |
| 2012 Forester | 1,499 | 35% | 0% more fails | 94,918 |
| 2011 Forester | 3,056 | 34.3% | 9% fewer fails | 102,309 |
| 2010 Forester | 2,807 | 37.9% | 4% fewer fails | 107,138 |
| 2009 Forester | 1,714 | 41.1% | 0% fewer fails | 106,895 |
| 2008 Forester | 1,948 | 37.1% | 12% fewer fails | 103,518 |
| 2007 Forester | 3,047 | 36.8% | 14% fewer fails | 107,633 |
| 2006 Forester | 3,290 | 40.5% | 8% fewer fails | 113,008 |
| 2005 Forester | 3,582 | 37.2% | 17% fewer fails | 117,506 |
| 2004 Forester | 2,903 | 37.8% | 16% fewer fails | 123,474 |
| 2003 Forester | 2,325 | 40.6% | 10% fewer fails | 127,922 |
| 2002 Forester | 1,018 | 37.7% | 14% fewer fails | 124,596 |
| 2001 | 816 | 40.3% | 6% fewer fails | 119,249 |
| 2000 | 647 | 41% | 1% fewer fails | 126,065 |
| 1999 | 618 | 36.4% | 9% fewer fails | 123,183 |
| 1998 | 304 | 37.8% | 2% fewer fails | 122,628 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Subaru Forester
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 25% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension13%14% above avg
- Lights and electrics12.5%12% below avg
- Brakes6.2%28% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.4%25% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%13% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%16% below avg
- Tyres3.5%47% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.1%32% below avg
- Steering0.8%68% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 3.4% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 2.43% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.32% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.08% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.98% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 1.85% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.79% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Exhaust has major gas leak 1.59% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Subaru Forester's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.63%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear10.37%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.66%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.18%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.43%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy4.68%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Subaru Forester
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Subaru Forester covers about 8,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol68.2%
- Diesel28%
- Hybrid3.6%
- LPG0.2%
Most common colours
Silver, Grey, Blue, Green, White
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Subaru Forester compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar I-Pace | 7.1% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus NX | 9.2% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW X4 | 13% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Forester | 29.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 37.4% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Cherokee | 33.1% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Antara | 42.5% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Subaru models.
Questions
Subaru Forester questions, answered
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
On MOT results, the Subaru Forester is about average: it fails 29.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 31 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Subaru Forester MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Subaru Forester are position lamp not working (3.4% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.43% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.32% of tests). By area, suspension fails 13% of its tests.
Which Subaru Forester year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Subaru Forester do a year?
A typical Subaru Forester covers about 8,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Subaru Forester before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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