Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 Subaru Forester vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% 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 2003 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,783 vehicles, the 2003 Subaru Forester has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Subaru Forester?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Subaru Forester are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (52.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (52.1% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (52% 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 2003 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 (2003)

2,783 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.6% first-time pass rate

2003 Subaru Forester

CarHunch analysed 2,783 real MOT records for the 2003 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

The 2003 Subaru Forester falls slightly below the UK average with a 77.5% first-time pass rate, and nearly 27% of cars in this cohort have recorded dangerous defects—a notably high figure that warrants a full pre-purchase inspection. This is a car that demands careful scrutiny before you commit.

At 91,800 miles average, these Foresters are well-used but not unusually so for a 20-year-old model, yet owners face an average of 4.14 failures and 22 advisories per MOT, signalling consistent wear across multiple systems. Budget for remedial work before purchase and factor in regular maintenance costs, particularly around suspension and exhaust components that tend to accumulate advisories on this generation.

The 2003 Subaru Forester has a decent first-time pass rate (77.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

77.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.14

Over 17.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

90k

Middle half: 72k–109k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 22.1 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 2,783 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,783 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 52.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

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

Tyre wear 52.1%

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

Lighting 36.8%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working · Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · …

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

Other issues 32%

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'

Exhaust & emissions 24.1%

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

Suspension & steering 21.7%

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

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 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,783 Subaru Forester cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Subaru Forester

Based on MOT data from 2,783 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.9% 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 (99%)	2,763	77.6%	4.14

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 2003 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.

90,365

typical

72,292

low mileage

109,291

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Subaru Forester vehicles fall between 72,292 and 109,291 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 72,292 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.

✓ 72,292–109,291 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Subaru Foresters sit.

⚠ Over 147,542 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Subaru Forester — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 21% of 2003 Subaru Foresters are still active.

Numbers are declining — 472 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (21% 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

17.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.14

Avg failures per vehicle

22.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Subaru Forester stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing