2004 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
5,633 MOT tests on the 2004 Subaru Forester are in this dataset, and 74.9% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) 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, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 399 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.1% in the 0-30k band and 29.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.5-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.3% in 2021 to 23.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 797 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 781 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 539 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 361 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.0% | 340 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 327 |
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 | 399 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 380 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 375 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 325 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 287 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 267 |
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 | 38.9% | 2,192 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.0% | 1,518 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.3% | 1,085 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.0% | 1,069 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 966 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.5% | 594 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 35 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 204 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 884 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,478 | 24.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,612 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,413 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,461 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 1,261 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 1,120 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 963 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 828 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Forester
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (9.6% 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 2004 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 5,633 2004 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2004 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,633 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.