2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Subaru Forester MOT pass rate and common faults

702 MOT tests in 2024. 62.8% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time62.8%
Failed or needed repairs37.2%
Typical mileage at test124,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 702 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working6.8%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.4%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.7%
  4. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn4.3%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.8%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.3%
  7. Washers: not working3.0%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
  9. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened2.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension28.8%
  2. Lights & electrics25.1%
  3. Emissions & leaks17.8%
  4. Brakes10.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.4%
  6. Body & chassis8.1%
  7. Tyres3.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases12.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.8%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.4%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded9.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Subaru Forester?

In 2024, 62.8% of 2004 Subaru Forester cars passed their MOT first time, across 702 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Subaru Forester?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2004 Subaru Forester reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).