2006 Subaru Forester · 3,290 MOT tests
2006 Subaru Forester reliability
2006 Subaru Foresters fail 40.5% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 18 Forester years (3,290 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 40.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 113,008
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,290
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- 2007 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11.7% of tests fail here (66% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.5%
- Suspension16.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.7%
- Brakes8.8%
- Body, chassis and structure8.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%
- Tyres3.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 6.2%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Position lamp not working 5.47%
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 5.38%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.01%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.28%
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 3.1%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.64%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.93%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (6.84%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.81%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (6.57%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (6.53%)
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 2006 Subaru Forester reliable?
2006 Subaru Foresters fail 40.5% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 18 Forester years (3,290 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often engine warning light inoperative or lit (6.2% of tests), position lamp not working (5.47% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.38% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2006 Subaru Forester shows 113,008 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
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