Subaru Forester years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
No Subaru Forester year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2019. The other 2 years can't be told apart from average.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use year2019
- Can't be told apart from average2014 and 2016
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 76.2% to 79.0%.
In 2025, 77.6% of the 3,405 initial MOT tests on Subaru Forester cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 75.6%. That is 2.0 points above the same-age average.
Check a specific Forester
Subaru Forester MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019age 6 | 1,10440,900 | 89.4%±2.0 | +5.9 ptsall: 83.5% | |
| 2016age 9 | 1,18069,400 | 74.4%±2.6 | −0.5 ptsall: 74.9% | |
| 2014age 11 | 1,12188,300 | 69.3%±2.8 | +0.7 ptsall: 68.6% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upCommon Forester problems at the MOT
Some years have too few failed tests in an area for it to be recorded, so a total across all years would come out too low. We don't list failure areas for this model.
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Subaru Forester
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension | 19.7%150 tests | 4.3% |
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 18.3%140 tests | 9.4% |
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 8.5%65 tests | 5.1% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 7.6%58 tests | 7.7% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 7.3%56 tests | 6.3% |
| Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres | 6.9%53 tests | 5.3% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Forester's failed tests in each year. How we count
After an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of Subaru Forester cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 5.5% failed on tyres, against 2.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,239 and 5,721 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.4% of those with a tyre advisory and 14.2% of the others.
Brakes
Of Subaru Forester cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.2% failed on brakes, against 4.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,167 and 5,717 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 18.0% of those with a brake advisory and 13.4% of the others.
Suspension
Of Subaru Forester cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 19.8% failed on suspension, against 12.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,468 and 5,302 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 18.7% of those with a suspension advisory and 12.8% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outAll models compared, with the dataSubaru Forester questions
Which Subaru Forester years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2019. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.6% of initial MOT tests on Subaru Forester cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 75.6%. That is 2.0 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What mileage is normal for a 6-year-old Subaru Forester?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Subaru Forester cars first used in 2019, about 6 years old, had a median of 40,900 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Forester's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Subaru Forester
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Subaru models
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Subaru Forester cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count