2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 Subaru Forester MOT pass rate and common faults

752 MOT tests in 2024. 58.1% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time58.1%
Failed or needed repairs41.9%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 752 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  3. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn4.0%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.0%
  5. Electronic stability control: warning lamp indicates a fault3.5%
  6. Stop lamp: not working3.5%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.3%
  8. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.1%
    29 marked dangerous
  10. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension30.1%
  2. Lights & electrics25.4%
  3. Brakes15.6%
  4. Emissions & leaks12.0%
  5. Body & chassis7.7%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.7%
  7. Tyres3.3%
  8. Steering1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn25.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.0%
  4. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.7%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2009 ForesterAll Forester years2011 Forester →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 Subaru Forester?

In 2024, 58.1% of 2010 Subaru Forester cars passed their MOT first time, across 752 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Subaru Forester?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working; linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 Subaru Forester reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).