Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1999 Subaru Forester?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1999 Subaru Forester?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1999 Subaru Forester?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1999 Subaru Forester vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1999 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,997 vehicles, the 1999 Subaru Forester has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1999 Subaru Forester?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1999 Subaru Forester are: Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (56.1% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (49.5% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (45.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1999 Subaru Forester?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Subaru Forester (1999)

1,997 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.5% first-time pass rate

1999 Subaru Forester

CarHunch analysed 1,997 real MOT records for the 1999 Subaru Forester. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

These 1999 Subaru Foresters are struggling relative to the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 72.3% against the national 80%—and notably, over one in five vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for any buyer considering one. The petrol models show no meaningful advantage, passing at 72.2%, so fuel type won't help you dodge the reliability issues here.

At 105,500 miles median, these cars are racking up fairly typical mileage for their age, but they're averaging nearly 4 failures and 18 advisories per test, suggesting widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problem areas. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the braking and suspension components, since dangerous defects on aging Subarus tend to cluster there.

The 1999 Subaru Forester has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

72.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

20.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.81

Over 13 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

106k

Middle half: 85k–126k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,997 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,997 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 56.1%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Tyre wear 49.5%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 37.1%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 28.9%

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' · Oil leak · …

Exhaust & emissions 25.4%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive

Suspension & steering 20.9%

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,997 Subaru Forester cars.

Before you buy a 1999 Subaru Forester

Based on MOT data from 1,997 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	1,989	72.5%	3.82

Colour Breakdown

Based on 32,902 Subaru Forester vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 28.7%

9,451

Green 16.1%

5,290

Blue 14%

4,611

Grey 10.4%

3,427

Black 9.5%

3,133

Red 9%

2,965

White 5.9%

1,939

Maroon 3.1%

1,031

Gold 2.2%

735

Purple 0.5%

176

Yellow 0.4%

124

Bronze 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1999 Subaru Forester vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

105,533

typical

84,910

low mileage

125,633

high mileage

Half of all 1999 Subaru Forester vehicles fall between 84,910 and 125,633 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 84,910 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 84,910–125,633 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1999 Subaru Foresters sit.

⚠ Over 169,604 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1999 Subaru Forester — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 10% of 1999 Subaru Foresters are still active.

Numbers are declining — 105 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.81

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Subaru Forester: All Forester years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on