2005 Subaru Forester · 3,582 MOT tests
2005 Subaru Forester reliability
2005 Subaru Foresters fail 37.2% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 18 Forester years (3,582 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 37.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 117,506
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,582
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 10.1% of tests fail here (37% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 56% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.1%
- Suspension16.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.1%
- Body, chassis and structure8.3%
- Brakes7.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.9%
- Tyres3.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 5.33%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Position lamp not working 5.11%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.63%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.18%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.82%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 2.79%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.95%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (9.38%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.59%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (7.37%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.34%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.92%)
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 2005 Subaru Forester reliable?
2005 Subaru Foresters fail 37.2% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 18 Forester years (3,582 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often engine warning light inoperative or lit (5.33% of tests), position lamp not working (5.11% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.63% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Subaru Forester shows 117,506 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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