2004 Subaru Forester · 2,903 MOT tests
2004 Subaru Forester reliability
2004 Subaru Foresters fail 37.8% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 18 Forester years (2,903 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 37.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 123,474
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,903
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11.8% of tests fail here (53% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 66% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.7%
- Suspension16.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.8%
- Body, chassis and structure8%
- Brakes7.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.9%
- Tyres3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.55%
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 5.34%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.2%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.75%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.58%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.24%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.27%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (9.85%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.78%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (7.65%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.2%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.75%)
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 2004 Subaru Forester reliable?
2004 Subaru Foresters fail 37.8% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 18 Forester years (2,903 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.55% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (5.34% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.2% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Subaru Forester shows 123,474 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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