2021 Subaru Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,105 MOT tests, the 2021 Subaru Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr recorded a 93.8% pass rate. That is 2.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.5%) and visibility (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 28 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr fails 4.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.5% | 28 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.2% | 24 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 11 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 15 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 8 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.8% | 241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.9% | 87 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.4% | 38 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.0% | 33 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 20 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 8 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 597 | 4.2% |
| 30-60k | 466 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 38 | 5.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 531 | 4.5% |
| 2025 | 560 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr
On a 2021 Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Subaru Forester I Xe Prm Ebxrs pass their MOT?
93.8% of the 1,105 2021 Subaru Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Subaru Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr?
Tyres, recorded in 2.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.2%).
Does the 2021 Forester I Xe Prm Ebxr get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 0-30k band to 5.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,105 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.