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Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) (2018-present) reliability

At a glance

Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) models 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 Forester Mk5 (SK) models built around 2018 involves the suspension.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2018-presentSUVHYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL / DIESEL

Based on 3,503 tests of Forester models registered 2018+.

About 1 in 30 Forester Mk5 (SK) MOTs (3.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 672 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 2.1% and 4.7%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 50 Forester Mk5 (SK) MOTs (2.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 672 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 1.4% and 3.7%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk5 (SK) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
67213.5%

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 7 years old.

How the Forester Mk5 (SK) compares

At each age below, see how the Forester Mk5 (SK) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 3,305 tests across 7 Subaru models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSubaru average
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
67213.5%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Forester Mk5 (SK).

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) on these figures.

    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

  2. 2

    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 13.5% for the Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK), both built around 2018.

    9,233 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 13.5% for the Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK), 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 13.5% for the Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK), 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.

Recall context

12 recalls in all

4 of the 12 Forester Mk5 (SK) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 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.

What has gone wrong on Forester Mk5 (SK) cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 59 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
12%
Drivetrain
2%

Wear items

Tyres
19%
Brakes
17%
Lighting
7%
How Forester Mk5 (SK) cars have aged

How Forester Mk5 (SK) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%34567Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 5.1% (505 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.6% (477 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.8% (129 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (129 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (126 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 6.7% (834 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (731 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (675 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (640 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 6.2% (713 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (657 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (661 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (691 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (672 tests, 2025 data)2018
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
Mk5 (SK) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Subaru Foresters of this age

This list covers every Subaru Forester built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk5 (SK) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Subaru Forester Mk5 (SK) (2018-present) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 672 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 3,503 MOT tests on Subaru Foresters first registered from 2018. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.