Subaru Forester MOT Results

Registered in 2003
58.2% pass rate
from 1,065 tests in 2021
Pass rate by mileage
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for 2003 cars and highlighted areas where the Subaru Forester is unusually good or bad.

  • 19% fail on Suspension
    • 7.2% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas (180% worse than other 2003 cars)
    • 7.0% fail on Anti-roll bars (46% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 3.8% fail on Linkage ball joints (170% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.94% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.85% fail on Linkage
      • 0.56% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.47% fail on Linkage pins and bushes
      • 0.38% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.28% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.19% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.094% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.094% fail on Linkage attachment bracket and mounting
    • 5.8% fail on Suspension arms
      • 2.6% fail on Ball joint dust cover (140% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Suspension arm (3 times worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.56% fail on Pins and bushes (75% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 3.8% fail on Sub-frames (5 times worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 3.1% fail on Sub-frame (11 times worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.66% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas (180% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.094% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 1.2% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 1.1% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.94% fail on Springs (76% better than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.94% fail on Coil springs (76% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.94% fail on Coil spring (76% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 0.75% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.38% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.28% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.094% fail on Other suspension component
    • 0.28% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.19% fail on Pins and bushes (5 times worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.094% fail on Ball joint
  • 14% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (18% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 5.4% fail on Headlamps
      • 5.4% fail on Headlamp
    • 4.2% fail on Stop lamp
    • 2.8% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 2.5% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.28% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.3% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.94% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 0.94% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.94% fail on Rear fog lamp
    • 0.66% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.56% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.094% fail on Horn
    • 0.28% fail on Direction indicators (88% better than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.28% fail on Flashing type (88% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.19% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.094% fail on Individual direction indicators
    • 0.094% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.094% fail on Position lamp
  • 11% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (49% worse than other 2003 cars)
    • 11% fail on Exhaust emissions (56% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 11% fail on Spark ignition (75% worse than other 2003 cars)
        • 6.3% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (120% worse than other 2003 cars)
        • 5.7% fail on Catalyst emissions (84% worse than other 2003 cars)
        • 1.2% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.094% fail on Non catalyst emissions
      • 0.38% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.094% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.094% fail on On or after 01/07/2008
        • 0.094% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp
        • 0.094% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.094% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.094% fail on Engine oil leaks
  • 9.4% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 5.4% fail on Exhaust system (58% worse than other 2003 cars)
    • 2.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure (120% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 1.6% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.56% fail on Sub-frame (19 times worse than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.56% fail on Sub-frame condition (19 times worse than other 2003 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Transmission (60% better than other 2003 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Drive shafts (58% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 1.3% fail on Joints (58% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 0.75% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.38% fail on Tank
      • 0.19% fail on Pipe
      • 0.19% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
    • 0.38% fail on Chassis
      • 0.38% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.28% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.28% fail on Body
      • 0.19% fail on Panel
      • 0.094% fail on Other body component
    • 0.094% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.094% fail on Boot lid condition
  • 9.0% fail on Brakes (36% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 4.0% fail on Brake performance (48% better than other 2003 cars)
      • 2.1% fail on Service brake performance
        • 2.0% fail on Rbt
          • 1.9% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.094% fail on Service brake imbalance
        • 0.094% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.094% fail on Service brake performance
      • 1.1% fail on Brake performance not tested (190% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.66% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (83% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.38% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
        • 0.28% fail on Rbt (sp) (92% better than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.56% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (67% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.38% fail on Rbt (sp) (77% better than other 2003 cars)
          • 0.28% fail on Service brake imbalance (77% better than other 2003 cars)
          • 0.094% fail on Service brake performance
        • 0.19% fail on Decelerometer (sp) (5 times worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 0.38% fail on Parking brake performance (76% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.28% fail on Rbt (81% better than other 2003 cars)
          • 0.28% fail on Parking brake performance (78% better than other 2003 cars)
        • 0.094% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.094% fail on Parking brake performance
    • 2.8% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 1.5% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 1.5% fail on Brake pads
      • 1.3% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 1.3% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.19% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.19% fail on Lever
    • 2.7% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 0.85% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC
      • 0.85% fail on Anti-lock braking system
    • 0.38% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.38% fail on Pedal
    • 0.094% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.094% fail on Brake fluid
  • 7.8% fail on Visibility
    • 4.5% fail on Washers
    • 3.9% fail on Wipers
    • 0.28% fail on Bonnet
    • 0.094% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.094% fail on Windscreen
  • 3.4% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 2.8% fail on Seat belts (64% worse than other 2003 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.75% fail on Condition
      • 0.19% fail on Requirements
    • 0.47% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (66% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 0.094% fail on Airbags
      • 0.094% fail on Passengers airbag
  • 2.9% fail on Tyres (51% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 1.6% fail on Tread depth (53% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Condition (50% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 0.19% fail on Size/type
  • 1.1% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 1.1% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.56% fail on Steering (87% better than other 2003 cars)
    • 0.38% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.38% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.094% fail on Steering linkage components
      • 0.094% fail on Track rod end
    • 0.094% fail on Power steering
      • 0.094% fail on Operation
    • 0.094% fail on Steering column
  • 0.19% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.19% fail on Attachment
Read the Honest John Review

  • Subaru Forester (2002 - 2008)
    Very useful off-road yet an enjoyable car-like drive on tarmac. Looks and feels classier than its predecessor. Well built. Owners rate it.

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