Petrol Subaru Forester: MOT pass rate

75.1% of petrol Subaru Foresters pass the MOT first time, measured across 10,245 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 95,664.

Petrol against the other Subaru Forester versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Subaru Forester specifically, petrol is the strongest at 75.1%, and this petrol version sits 0.9 points above the 74.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Subaru Forester had covered 95,664 miles at test, against 96,632 for the diesel. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Subaru Forester page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Subaru Forester

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 5.1% of tests (5.45x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 1.6% of tests (4.68x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.9% of tests (3.66x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.7% of tests (2.12x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 9.9% of tests (1.97x the national rate for this defect)
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.8% of tests (1.61x the national rate for this defect)
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.4% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
9. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.1% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.4% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)

From 10,342 DVSA-tracked petrol Subaru Forester tests, 2024, split out from the Subaru Forester's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.01% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Subaru Forester

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 4.9% of tests (3.21x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 3.5% of tests (2.75x the national rate for this defect)
3. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.4% of tests (2.72x the national rate for this defect)
4. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 2.9% of tests (2.59x the national rate for this defect)
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 7.3% of tests (2.56x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 13.2% of tests (2.54x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 30.7% of tests (2.3x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.2% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 8.3% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 11.4% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)

From 10,342 DVSA-tracked petrol Subaru Forester tests, 2024.

Other Subaru Forester fuel types

• Diesel Subaru Forester - 71.8%

All Subaru Forester MOT data · Every model