2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Subaru Forester MOT pass rate and common faults

423 MOT tests in 2024. 64.1% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time64.1%
Failed or needed repairs35.9%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 423 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working9.2%
  2. Stop lamp: not working6.4%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.5%
    19 marked dangerous
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  6. Electronic stability control: warning lamp indicates a fault3.3%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.3%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.6%
  2. Suspension20.1%
  3. Brakes16.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks6.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.6%
  6. Tyres5.2%
  7. Body & chassis2.6%
  8. Steering1.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn23.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. 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 2012 Subaru Forester?

In 2024, 64.1% of 2012 Subaru Forester cars passed their MOT first time, across 423 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Subaru Forester?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; stop lamp: not working; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Subaru Forester reliable at MOT time?

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