2000 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,276 MOT tests, the 2000 Subaru Forester recorded a 71.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.3% 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 (16.9%) and suspension (14.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 126 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.1% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 216 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 188 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 124 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 115 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.9% | 101 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 72 |
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 | 126 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 120 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 83 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 83 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 71 |
| 6 | Joints | 60 |
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 | 39.4% | 503 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.5% | 402 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 289 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 223 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.9% | 216 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 205 |
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 | 71 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 177 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 320 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 358 | 26.3% |
| 150k+ | 344 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 342 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 284 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 231 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 224 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 195 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Forester
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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 (9.7% 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 2000 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 1,276 2000 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 2000 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 30-60k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,276 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.