2003 Subaru Forester: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Subaru Forester?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Subaru Forester than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.3× usual
  Subaru Forester

  11.3% All 2003 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame2.5× usual
  Subaru Forester

  11.9% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.9× usual
  Subaru Forester

  11.5% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Ball joint dust cover2× usual
  Subaru Forester

  9.3% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Engine warning light2× usual
  Subaru Forester

  5.4% All 2003 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2003 Subaru Forester MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  51% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  35% 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.

• Tyres
  23% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Subaru Forester

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2003 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2003 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2003 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?