2008 Subaru Forester · 1,948 MOT tests
2008 Subaru Forester reliability
2008 Subaru Foresters fail 37.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 18 Forester years (1,948 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 37.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 103,518
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,948
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: about average for its age (the 2008 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 8.6% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 49% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.8%
- Suspension14%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.6%
- Brakes6.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%
- Body, chassis and structure4.9%
- Tyres3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.01%
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 4.21%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Stop lamp not working 3.44%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.41%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.36%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 2.36%
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 (11.91%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.63%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.73%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.32%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (7.14%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (6.93%)
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 2008 Subaru Forester reliable?
2008 Subaru Foresters fail 37.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 18 Forester years (1,948 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.01% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (4.21% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.44% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Subaru Forester shows 103,518 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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