Used car guide

2022 Subaru Forester: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2022 Subaru Foresters, from 264 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 264 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

264MOT tests in 2025
93%pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%)
8,000typical miles a year
22%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2022 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    7% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    3% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021738Tyres 24%
2020226Tyres 22%
20191,103Tyres 23%
2018921Suspension 23%
2017899Suspension 29%
20161,180Suspension 33%
2015982Suspension 36%
20141,125Suspension 41%
2013809Suspension 45%
2012410Suspension 53%
2011808Suspension 51%
2010690Suspension 58%
2009390Suspension 53%
2008515Suspension 54%
2007766Suspension 45%
2006805Suspension 45%
2005855Suspension 46%
2004702Suspension 46%
2003503Suspension 53%
2002223Suspension 52%
2001191Suspension 47%
2000156Suspension 56%
1999103Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2022 Subaru Foresters registered in 2022. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score