2009 Subaru Forester — MOT failures & pass rate
3,173 MOT tests on the 2009 Subaru Forester are in this dataset, and 74.4% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 26.2%, so the 2009 Forester sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.9%) and suspension (14.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 265 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 29.0% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.3pp more often than petrol ones (26.5% vs 24.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 537 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.9% | 472 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.9% | 251 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 192 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 156 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 136 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 265 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 225 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 193 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 157 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 153 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator 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 | 44.1% | 1,400 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.1% | 860 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.1% | 764 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 389 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.7% | 370 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 284 |
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 | 282 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 752 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,028 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 785 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 297 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,902 | 26.5% |
| Petrol | 1,271 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 784 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 720 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 635 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 573 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 461 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Forester
On a 2009 Forester, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.9% 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.
- Brakes (7.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2009 Subaru Foresters pass their MOT?
74.4% of the 3,173 2009 Subaru Forester MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Subaru Forester?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.9%).
Does the 2009 Forester get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 30-60k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,173 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.