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VK52 VHW

2003 Subaru Forester

Silver Petrol 1994cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Nov 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

161,579 mi
Last recorded161,579 miles
Recorded on11 Nov 2025
Typical for 2003 Subaru Forester90,591 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Subaru
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationVK52 VHW
MakeSubaru
ModelForester
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,994cc
View full Subaru Forester reliability data Browse other 2003 Subaru Forester registrations

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 11 Nov 2025 161,579 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 10 Nov 2025 161,579 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 10 Oct 2024 155,480 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Front and centre sections (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 24 Oct 2023 153,881 miles

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases back box (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 21 Oct 2022 151,709 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 20 Oct 2022 151,706 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 10 Nov 2021 149,487 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 9 Nov 2021 149,487 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases between middle and rear (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 19 Oct 2020 142,796 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 16 Oct 2020 142,794 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 25 Oct 2019 138,926 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 25 Oct 2019 138,926 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 1 Nov 2018 132,512 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2018 132,512 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 26 Sep 2017 127,982 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit On 2.0mm (4.1.E.1)

Fail 25 Sep 2017 127,982 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit On 2.0mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 23 Sep 2016 126,878 miles

Slight corrosion throughout underside

Pass 25 Sep 2015 125,659 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 25 Sep 2015 125,659 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 26 Aug 2014 121,910 miles
Fail 22 Aug 2014 121,862 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

One rear exhaust braket broken

Pass 25 Jun 2013 117,228 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 17 Apr 2012 112,373 miles

rear exhaust clamp broken

rear suspension bushes perished

rear wiper split

Pass 4 Mar 2011 104,425 miles
Fail 4 Mar 2011 104,425 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 4 Mar 2010 95,269 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Inner Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Play in nearside rack arm

Pass 20 Feb 2009 79,230 miles

Play in both front anti-roll ball drop link ball joints (knocking/clonking over bumps)

Pass 4 Feb 2008 65,845 miles

front registration plate slightly deteriorated

unable to check outter sills due to plastic covers fitted

Pass 15 Jan 2007 48,960 miles

How Reliable is the Subaru Forester?

Based on 456,470 MOT tests across 33,044 vehicles.

76.1%
Pass Rate
6,679
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
33,044
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 8,106
Registration plate lamp not working 6,977
position lamp(s) not working 6,967
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,820
Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,429
Full Subaru Forester reliability report

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VK52 VHW is a 2003 Subaru Forester in Silver with a 1,994cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

Across all 2003 Subaru Forester models, the average MOT pass rate is 76.0% with a typical mileage of 90,591 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Subaru Forester fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 8,106 recorded failures. If you're considering buying VK52 VHW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Subaru Forester typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 23 years old, this Subaru Forester is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of VK52 VHW?

You can check the full history of VK52 VHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VK52 VHW registered?

VK52 VHW is a 2003 Subaru Forester, first registered on 1 January 2003.

Is VK52 VHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for VK52 VHW shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VK52 VHW have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on VK52 VHW. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.