Subaru Forester Gls Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Forester Gls car check
Is the Subaru Forester Gls reliable? We analysed 911 real MOT tests across 186 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Forester Gls? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Forester Gls is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, registration plate lamp not working and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Forester Gls.
Subaru Forester Gls Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Forester Gls. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Forester Gls MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Forester Gls to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Forester Gls Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Forester Gls fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Forester Gls Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Forester Gls owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Forester Gls MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Forester Gls year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 139 | 73.4% | 73,284 | 97,615 | 116,970 |
| 1999 | 243 | 70.8% | 80,153 | 100,070 | 133,414 |
| 1998 | 415 | 68.9% | 89,186 | 110,778 | 139,263 |
| 1997 | 98 | 70.4% | 94,629 | 121,373 | 138,046 |
How Long Does a Subaru Forester Gls Last?
Based on 186 Subaru Forester Gls vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Forester Gls Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Forester Gls MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Subaru Forester Gls
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.4% MOT pass rate from 139 tests
68.9% MOT pass rate from 415 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Forester Gls is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.4% across 139 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Forester Gls Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester Gls THIS CAR | 70.4% | 911 | 106,855 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Impreza | 75.7% | 915,729 | 83,083 mi | 33 yrs |
| Subaru Forester | 76.1% | 456,470 | 85,220 mi | 29 yrs |
| Subaru Legacy | 72.5% | 349,986 | 96,000 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Not Stated | 67.1% | 526 | 163,362 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Forester Gls trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Forester Gls you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Subaru Forester GlsShould you buy a used Subaru Forester Gls?
The Subaru Forester Gls has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.4% across 911 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru Forester Gls are brake pipe excessively corroded (50 recorded failures), registration plate lamp not working (47), and position lamp(s) not working (46). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Subaru Forester Gls owner drives around 8,914 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Subaru Forester Gls models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.