2006 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,194 MOT tests, the 2006 Subaru Forester recorded a 73.8% pass rate. That is 1.6 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests against 13.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 560 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.1% versus 13.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.4% 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 | 16.6% | 1,025 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 833 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 588 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.8% | 420 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 418 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 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 | 560 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 526 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 363 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 334 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 332 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 313 |
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 | 35.4% | 2,195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.5% | 1,639 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.1% | 1,370 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 960 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 956 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.0% | 560 |
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 | 328 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,167 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,947 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,669 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,052 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,474 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 1,399 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 1,246 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 1,101 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 974 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Forester
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.5% 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 (9.5% 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 2006 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 6,194 2006 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.5%).
Does the 2006 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,194 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.