Subaru Forester (1998)
1998 Subaru Forester
CarHunch analysed 1,642 real MOT records for the 1998 Subaru Forester. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1998 Forester is below the UK average with a 71% first-time pass rate—9 percentage points worse than the national 80%—and nearly one in five have suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine safety concern for a buyer. The median mileage of 108,500 is predictably high for a 26-year-old car, but the real problem is the average 3.67 failures per test, indicating systemic wear and deterioration across these aging vehicles.
With nearly 15 advisories per car on average, these Foresters are accumulating minor issues faster than they're being fixed, which is typical for vehicles this old but still a warning sign that ownership costs will creep upward. Before purchasing, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the suspension, exhaust, and brake components, as these tend to be where the failures cluster on this generation.
What to check before buying a 1998 Subaru Forester
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Subaru Forester
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,628 | 71% | 3.66 |
| LPG (1%) | 14 | 65.9% | 4.57 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Subaru Forester vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Subaru Forester vehicles fall between 88,347 and 132,370 miles.
1998 Subaru Forester — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 60 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Subaru Forester
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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56.1%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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49.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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31.1%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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29.9%
Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Subaru Forester?
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