2008 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Subaru Forester passed 76.8% of its 3,709 recorded MOT tests. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (26.9% fail rate), the 2008 Forester comes out 3.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests against 11.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — position lamp alone was recorded 219 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 3.3% in the 0-30k band and 28.1% in the 150k+ band, a 24.7-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.7% 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 | 14.9% | 554 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 440 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 267 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.5% | 205 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 160 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 160 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 219 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 219 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 153 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 146 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 123 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 123 |
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 | 40.7% | 1,509 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.2% | 973 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.2% | 785 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 516 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.2% | 378 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 377 |
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 | 30 | 3.3% |
| 30-60k | 266 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 939 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,244 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 797 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 431 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,258 | 22.6% |
| Diesel | 451 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 844 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 822 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 766 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 662 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 615 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Forester
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.9% 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 (7.2% 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 2008 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 3,709 2008 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 2008 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,709 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.