2012 Subaru Forester · 1,499 MOT tests
2012 Subaru Forester reliability
2012 Subaru Foresters fail 35% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 18 Forester years (1,499 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 35%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 0% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 94,918
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,499
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 19.6% of tests fail here (34% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.6%
- Suspension12.4%
- Brakes9.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.6%
- Tyres4.5%
- Body, chassis and structure1.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 6.8%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 6.27%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.07%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Diesel engine warning light faulty 2.27%
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.2%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (20.81%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.74%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.14%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.67%) · Anti-roll bar pin/bush showing wear (7.4%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.27%)
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 2012 Subaru Forester reliable?
2012 Subaru Foresters fail 35% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 18 Forester years (1,499 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (6.8% of tests), position lamp not working (6.27% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.07% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Subaru Forester shows 94,918 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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