2003 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
4,729 MOT tests on the 2003 Subaru Forester are in this dataset, and 73.1% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (16.3%) and lighting & signalling (15.2%) 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, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 452 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 30-60k band and 29.8% in the 150k+ band, a 13.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.3% | 772 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 717 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 421 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.9% | 326 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 320 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.6% | 313 |
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 | 452 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 351 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 335 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 282 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 269 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 208 |
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 | 41.4% | 1,956 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.4% | 1,487 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.9% | 988 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 913 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 903 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 571 |
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 | 171 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 605 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,164 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,253 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,509 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,323 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 1,116 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 912 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 763 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 615 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Forester
On a 2003 Forester, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2003 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 4,729 2003 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Subaru Forester?
Suspension, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.2%).
Does the 2003 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 30-60k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,729 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.