2003 Subaru Forester · 2,325 MOT tests
2003 Subaru Forester reliability
2003 Subaru Foresters fail 40.6% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 18 Forester years (2,325 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 40.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 127,922
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,325
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11.5% of tests fail here (46% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 43% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Suspension20.4%
- Lights and electrics18.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.6%
- Brakes8.6%
- Body, chassis and structure8.1%
- Tyres4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.49%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 5.2%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 4.56%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.53%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.23%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.01%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.29%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (11.14%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.01%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.56%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.09%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (7.91%)
Other years
Every Subaru Forester year
The full picture: Subaru Forester reliability. Before you pay for any Subaru Forester, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Subaru Forester reliable?
2003 Subaru Foresters fail 40.6% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 18 Forester years (2,325 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6.49% of tests), position lamp not working (5.2% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (4.56% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Subaru Forester shows 127,922 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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