Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD car check
Is the Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD reliable? We analysed 601 real MOT tests across 102 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, registration plate lamp not working and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD.
Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 200 | 73.5% | 71,538 | 105,826 | 134,163 |
| 2001 | 85 | 82.4% | 65,502 | 82,866 | 120,445 |
| 2000 | 117 | 69.2% | 68,710 | 90,110 | 108,055 |
| 1999 | 146 | 76.0% | 72,667 | 86,154 | 119,724 |
Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD 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 S Turbo AWD
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.4% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
69.2% MOT pass rate from 117 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.4% across 85 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.2% — 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 S Turbo AWD Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD THIS CAR | 74.9% | 601 | 93,750 mi | 27 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 |
| Toyota Landcruiser LC4 D-4D | 74.7% | 825 | 170,302 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD 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 S Turbo AWDShould you buy a used Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD?
The Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.9% across 601 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Subaru Forester S Turbo AWD are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (22 recorded failures), registration plate lamp not working (21), and position lamp(s) not working (17). 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 S Turbo AWD owner drives around 7,330 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 S Turbo AWD models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.