2005 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,016 MOT tests, the 2005 Subaru Forester recorded a 74.6% pass rate. That is 2.6 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and suspension (13.7%) 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, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 536 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 993 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 963 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 621 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 477 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.1% | 429 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 401 |
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 | 536 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 425 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 415 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 367 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 344 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 320 |
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 | 38.5% | 2,699 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.3% | 1,778 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 1,512 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 1,277 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 1,095 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.7% | 680 |
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 | 31 | 16.1% |
| 30-60k | 302 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,133 | 22.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,136 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,948 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,463 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,782 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 1,585 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 1,412 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 1,196 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 1,041 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Forester
On a 2005 Forester, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (13.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.8% 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 2005 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
74.6% of the 7,016 2005 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2005 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,016 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.