Subaru Forestr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Subaru Forestr car check
Is the Subaru Forestr reliable? We analysed 2,097 real MOT tests across 228 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Subaru Forestr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Subaru Forestr is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Subaru Forestr.
Subaru Forestr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Subaru Forestr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Subaru Forestr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Subaru Forestr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Subaru Forestr Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Subaru Forestr models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Subaru Forestr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Subaru Forestr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Subaru Forestr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Subaru Forestr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 327 | 79.2% | 34,366 | 49,890 | 74,138 |
| 2015 | 1,624 | 82.2% | 38,024 | 56,048 | 78,944 |
How Long Does a Subaru Forestr Last?
Based on 228 Subaru Forestr vehicles on UK roads.
Subaru Forestr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Subaru Forestr 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 Forestr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.2% MOT pass rate from 1,624 tests
79.2% MOT pass rate from 327 tests
The best year to buy a used Subaru Forestr is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.2% across 1,624 tests. The 2016 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Subaru Forestr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forestr THIS CAR | 81.4% | 2,097 | 57,202 mi | 11 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 |
| Yamaha Hw 125 Xenter | 81.9% | 1,319 | 12,729 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Subaru Impreza (75.7% pass rate) and the Subaru Forester (76.1% pass rate), the Subaru Forestr outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Subaru Forestr 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 ForestrShould you buy a used Subaru Forestr?
The Subaru Forestr has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.4% across 2,097 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Subaru Forestr with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Subaru Forestr owner drives around 6,891 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 Forestr models stay on UK roads for around 11 years. 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.