At a Glance
The Subaru Forester has 17 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the SG (2002-2008) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 354K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Subaru Forester common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Subaru Forester generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Subaru Forester Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
SF
Top issue: Catalytic converter efficiency low
SG
Top issue: Spark ignition emissions above threshold
SH
Top issue: Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)
SJ
Most common MOT failure: Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn
SK
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Subaru Forester MOT Failures
Every reason Subaru Forester vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.01% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 9.62% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.11% |
| 4 | Front lamp not working | 5.12% |
| 5 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.95% |
| 6 | Exhaust system fault | 4.72% |
| 7 | Stop lamp not working | 4.63% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.82% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.62% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.42% |
| 11 | Tyre condition | 3.23% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.09% |
| 13 | Position lamp not working | 2.79% |
| 14 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.75% |
| 15 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.60% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.70% |
| 17 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.58% |
| 18 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.52% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.47% |
| 20 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.39% |
| 21 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.33% |
| 22 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.25% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.18% |
| 24 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.02% |
| 25 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.00% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.74% |
| 27 | Rear suspension fault | 0.71% |
| 28 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.70% |
| 29 | Rear lamp not working | 0.69% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.64% |
| 31 | Indicator fault | 0.56% |
| 32 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.54% |
| 33 | Steering rack fault | 0.54% |
| 34 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.54% |
| 35 | Fog lamp not working | 0.54% |
| 36 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.49% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.46% |
| 38 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.41% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.39% |
| 40 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.39% |
| 41 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.38% |
| 42 | Chassis condition | 0.37% |
| 43 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.36% |
| 44 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.33% |
| 45 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.32% |
| 46 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.32% |
| 47 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.27% |
| 48 | Track rod end worn | 0.27% |
| 49 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 50 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.25% |
| 51 | Brake pedal fault | 0.20% |
| 52 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.19% |
| 53 | Horn not working | 0.18% |
| 54 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.17% |
| 55 | Airbag warning light on | 0.17% |
| 56 | Front suspension fault | 0.17% |
| 57 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.16% |
| 58 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.14% |
| 59 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.13% |
| 60 | Parking brake condition | 0.13% |
| 61 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.11% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 63 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.09% |
| 65 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 66 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.08% |
| 67 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 69 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 70 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 71 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 72 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Towbar fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 77 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 78 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 79 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.04% |
| 83 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 84 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 86 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 88 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 93 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 94 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 95 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 98 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 100 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 107 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 109 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 111 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 112 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 113 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 118 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 119 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 121 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 122 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 132 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 137 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 139 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 153 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 158 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 170 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Subaru Forester MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Subaru Forester, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
Based on analysis of 354K Subaru Forester MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 17 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Subaru Forester generation has the most problems?
The Subaru Forester SG (2002-2008) (2002–2008) has the highest number of identified common problems (12). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Subaru Forester?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Subaru Forester owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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