2007 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Subaru Forester passed 75.3% of its 5,569 recorded MOT tests. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2007 Forester comes out 2.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.6%) and suspension (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 439 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 870 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 707 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 443 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 351 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 326 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 226 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 439 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 386 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 331 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 250 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 250 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 199 |
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 | 35.8% | 1,994 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.7% | 1,596 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 1,266 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 902 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 728 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 523 |
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 | 59 | 17.0% |
| 30-60k | 454 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,147 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,909 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,388 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 612 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,303 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 1,195 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 1,118 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 1,049 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 904 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Forester
On a 2007 Forester, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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 (8.0% 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 2007 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 5,569 2007 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2007 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,569 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.