2001 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Subaru Forester passed 71.8% of its 1,680 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2001 Forester sits squarely on the average. 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 (14.8%) 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 headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 180 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.7% versus 16.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.2% in 2021 to 26.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 258 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 249 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 170 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.9% | 150 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 149 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.0% | 118 |
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 | 180 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 119 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 115 |
| 4 | Linkage pins and bushes | 107 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 99 |
| 6 | Joints | 94 |
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 | 40.5% | 680 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.9% | 520 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.8% | 383 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 353 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 339 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.6% | 245 |
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 | 93 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 272 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 458 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 432 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 419 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 490 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 372 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 322 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 266 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 230 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Forester
On a 2001 Forester, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (14.8% 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 (10.1% 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 2001 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 1,680 2001 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2001 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 30-60k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,680 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.