Subaru Forester: what fails at MOT
20,000 MOT tests on the Subaru Forester in 2024, counted. 25.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
25.9% of Subaru Forester tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.5%, so the Forester is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (8.6% of tests), lights and electrics (7.6% of tests) and brakes (4.1% of tests). It fails on suspension and exhaust and emissions more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,124 | 6.5% | 10.9% | 24,700 16,900 to 33,100 |
| 2020 | 428 | 11.9% | 11.5% | 27,700 19,600 to 43,200 |
| 2019 | 1,680 | 9.3% | 13.4% | 33,200 22,600 to 43,700 |
| 2018 | 1,413 | 12.2% | 15.6% | 44,600 31,900 to 62,600 |
| 2017 | 1,244 | 17.5% | 18.2% | 54,800 40,600 to 72,500 |
| 2016 | 1,585 | 22.0% | 21.3% | 63,900 47,000 to 82,300 |
| 2015 | 1,318 | 24.0% | 24.4% | 71,000 52,900 to 93,100 |
| 2014 | 1,549 | 28.7% | 27.7% | 79,900 60,800 to 103,000 |
| 2013 | 1,082 | 29.7% | 30.6% | 91,200 70,500 to 113,100 |
| 2012 | 596 | 36.9% | 33.4% | 102,600 78,000 to 126,600 |
| 2011 | 1,198 | 34.2% | 36.1% | 107,700 83,000 to 137,000 |
| 2010 | 1,008 | 40.4% | 38.6% | 113,400 87,400 to 130,200 |
| 2009 | 618 | 39.2% | 39.8% | 110,400 84,700 to 129,500 |
| 2008 | 662 | 34.7% | 41.5% | 105,000 81,300 to 131,600 |
| 2007 | 1,183 | 34.6% | 41.5% | 108,800 79,900 to 131,800 |
| 2006 | 1,196 | 35.7% | 42.4% | 113,000 89,800 to 141,500 |
| 2005 | 1,169 | 34.1% | 42.2% | 117,800 90,400 to 146,300 |
| 2004 | 981 | 34.4% | 42.3% | 123,500 93,600 to 147,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Subaru Forester tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Forester | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 8.6% | 6.5% |
| Lights and electrics | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 5.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 3.1% | 2.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| Tyres Less than most | 2.4% | 4.3% |
| Body and structure | 2.1% | 2.7% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.5% | 1.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Suspension pins and bushes2.7%
- Side light2.4%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Ball joint2.0%
- Engine warning light1.9%
- Brake light1.8%
- Tyre1.7%
- Brake pads1.5%
- Wipers1.5%
- Washers1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
- Side light: not working2.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.8%
- Brake light: not working1.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.0%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement10.2%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.3%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.9%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.7%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Subaru Forester's own MOT record
Looking at a Forester? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.