Subaru Forester (2005)
2005 Subaru Forester
CarHunch analysed 2,632 real MOT records for the 2005 Subaru Forester. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2005 Subaru Forester's 78.5% first-time pass rate sits just below the UK average of 80%, which is respectable for a nearly 20-year-old car—but the real concern is that 28.2% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above typical thresholds and a genuine red flag for any buyer. With an average of 3.82 failures per test and 21.7 advisories, these Foresters are racking up maintenance issues at a worrying rate.
At around 85,700 miles median, these cars are running high mileage for their age, which partly explains the advisory count but doesn't excuse the dangerous defect rate. Before buying, get a full independent inspection focused on suspension, braking, and chassis integrity—this model's track record suggests those areas need particular scrutiny.
What to check before buying a 2005 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.
- ⚠️ 28.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 2,610 | 78.5% | 3.83 |
| LPG (1%) | 16 | 77.6% | 3.38 |
| Other (0%) | 5 | 96% | 0.2 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 73.3% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 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 2005 Subaru Forester vehicles fall between 68,070 and 103,868 miles.
2005 Subaru Forester — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 830 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% 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 — 2005 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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50.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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44.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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29.1%
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
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25.2%
Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
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25%
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Subaru Forester?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.