1998 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
514 MOT tests on the 1998 Subaru Forester are in this dataset, and 74.9% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.5% of the time, so this is 3.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.8% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, stop lamp and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 41 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.6% versus 13.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.8% in 2021 to 23.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 81 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.5% | 59 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.0% | 41 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 38 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 35 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 41 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 36 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 36 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 32 |
| 5 | Linkage pins and bushes | 27 |
| 6 | Wipers | 26 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.0% | 221 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.2% | 119 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.0% | 108 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.3% | 99 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 90 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.8% | 81 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 38 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 78 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 116 | 21.6% |
| 120-150k | 149 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 98 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 157 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 117 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 90 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 83 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 67 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Forester
On a 1998 Forester, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 1998 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 514 1998 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.5%).
Does the 1998 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 514 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.