2017 Subaru Forester · 3,079 MOT tests
2017 Subaru Forester reliability
2017 Subaru Foresters fail 15.6% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 18 Forester years (3,079 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- 15.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Subaru Foresters: 29.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 6
- 46,850
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 6
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,079
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2017 against the years either side
- 2016 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2017 car does better)
- 2018 cars: 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2017 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 6.5% of tests fail here (106% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 50% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2017 car carries a 66 plate (January–February 2017), or a 17 plate (March–August 2017), or a 67 plate (September–December 2017).
Common problems
What fails on a 2017 Subaru Forester
Fail rate by area
- Suspension6.5%
- Lights and electrics3.3%
- Tyres2.8%
- Brakes2.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.4%
- Body, chassis and structure0.7%
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.57%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.62%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.56%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.2%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Position lamp not working 0.84%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.49%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9.09%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.83%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.44%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.76%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.07%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.4%)
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 2017 Subaru Forester reliable?
2017 Subaru Foresters fail 15.6% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 18 Forester years (3,079 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2017 Subaru Forester MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.57% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.62% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.56% of tests).
How many miles should a 2017 Subaru Forester have done?
At its MOT aged about 6, a typical 2017 Subaru Forester shows 46,850 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2017 car?
A car first registered in 2017 carries a 66 plate (January–February 2017), or a 17 plate (March–August 2017), or a 67 plate (September–December 2017).
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