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Subaru Forester reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-present4 named generationsSUVPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

We've only got 1,075 MOT tests for Subaru Foresters built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Subaru Forester built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Subaru Foresters built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Subaru Forester by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Subaru Foresters built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Subaru Foresters built around 2018 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Subaru Forester's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Forester's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M

Mk5 (SK) (2018-present)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

14.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,075 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Forester Mk4 (SJ)

Mk4 (SJ) (2013-2017)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

19.8% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Likely between 16.8% and 23.2%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 586 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk3 (SH) (2008-2012)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

28.7% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Likely between 25.7% and 31.9%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 836 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk2 (SG) (2003-2007)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

30.3% fail rate, built around 2005 (20 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 1,091 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Subaru Forester.

See every build year for the Subaru Forester

Side-by-side

Subaru Forester generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (SK) (2018-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate14.7%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,075 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (SJ) (2013-2017)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate19.8%likely between 16.8% and 23.2%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 586 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (SH) (2008-2012)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate28.7%likely between 25.7% and 31.9%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 836 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (SG) (2003-2007)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate30.3%built around 2005 (20 years old)from 1,091 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Forester, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Subaru Forester fail rate by age

This chart combines every Subaru Forester ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5178.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
5628.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
7199.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,03312.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,07514.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,25718.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,38621.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,39721.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,26224.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
75424.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
83628.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,10329.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
70531.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
52129.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
85827.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,04030.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,05628.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,09130.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
72429.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
47729.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
26728.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
20933.5%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
34531.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Subaru Foresters

These issues come from 7-year-old Subaru Foresters, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    22.8%
    Advisory: 329Fail: 101 (23% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    13.1%
    Advisory: 213Fail: 7 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.1%
    Advisory: 144Fail: 10 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.6%
    Advisory: 162Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.1%
    Advisory: 98Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,075 MOT tests on 7-year-old Subaru Foresters, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Subaru Foresters notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres33%
  2. Brakes + Tyres28%
  3. Brakes + Suspension27%
  4. Other + Suspension11%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 271 MOT tests on Subaru Forester cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

12 recalls in all

9 of the 12 Subaru Forester recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 9 recalls

Top concerns

  • The impeller deformation may cause the fuel pump to become inoperative
  • Potential failure of the ignition coil module causing engine stall and a none start condition
  • The bolts of the rear stabiliser bracket might become loose

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 14.7% for the Subaru Forester, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.4%, against 14.7% for the Subaru Forester, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 14.7% for the Subaru Forester, both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi Q2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 14.7% for the Subaru Forester, both built around 2018.

    15,997 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Subaru Forester across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has among the highest fail rates of the 3 Subaru models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,075 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Subaru Forester ever sold: 19,194 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,075 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.