2004 Subaru Forester MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 65.1% of Subaru Foresters first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 2,410 Forester first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and noise, emissions and leaks.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Subaru Foresters first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2004 Subaru Forester MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Foresters first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Forester figure was 7.3 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2004 Forester | All cars first used 2004 | Forester first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60.5% | 53.9% | 1,186 |
| 2022 | 61.2% | 55.2% | 1,025 |
| 2023 | 59.8% | 56.0% | 907 |
| 2024 | 63.6% | 56.4% | 806 |
| 2025 | 65.1% | 57.8% | 697 |
Common 2004 Subaru Forester MOT failures
Share of the 901 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 16.9% | 152 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 14.3% | 129 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 13.3% | 120 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 9.9% | 89 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 9.4% | 85 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2004 Subaru Forester before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
Common 2004 Subaru Forester MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Foresters, as a share of all 2,410 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.8% | 284 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 11.5% | 278 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 8.9% | 215 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.9% | 214 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 8.6% | 208 |
Questions about the 2004 Subaru Forester MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Subaru Forester?
In 2025, 65.1% of Foresters first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2004 Forester most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 46.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (43.5%) and noise, emissions and leaks (29.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (16.9%).
How often does a 2004 Subaru Forester fail its MOT?
In 2025, 34.9% of first tests on Foresters first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 27.7% failed, and a further 7.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 901 of 2,410 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2004 Subaru Forester MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (11.5%), “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (8.9%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.9%) and “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (8.6%).
Is a 2004 Subaru Forester reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 60.5% in 2021 to 65.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2004
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2004 Forester?
The numbers above cover every Forester first used in 2004 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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