1999 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 937 MOT tests, the 1999 Subaru Forester recorded a 72.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.4%) and suspension (13.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 123 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.4% in the 30-60k band and 29.9% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 144 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 130 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 92 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 91 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.6% | 71 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 123 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 102 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 48 |
| 4 | Joints | 41 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 41 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 37 |
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 | 43.3% | 406 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.8% | 298 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.7% | 213 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.9% | 196 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.6% | 174 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.0% | 141 |
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 | 47 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 106 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 233 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 233 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 284 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 258 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 212 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 192 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 145 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 130 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Forester
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1999 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 937 1999 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 1999 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.4% in the 30-60k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 937 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.