Subaru Forester (2013)
2013 Subaru Forester
CarHunch analysed 771 real MOT records for the 2013 Subaru Forester. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2013 Subaru Forester passes its MOT slightly better than average at 83.7% versus the UK's 80%, which is a solid result—but nearly 29% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for buyers and worth investigating in any used example. Petrol models edge out diesels (85.1% vs 82.4% pass rate), suggesting the petrol engine is marginally more robust.
At nearly 76,000 miles median mileage for an 11-year-old car, these Foresters are running well within normal wear expectations. The 2.01 average failures per vehicle and 13.5 advisories point to typical aging issues rather than systemic problems, so have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the brake system and suspension components—areas where this cohort shows recurring advisory flags.
What to check before buying a 2013 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.
- ⚠️ 28.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (50%) | 388 | 82.4% | 2.21 |
| Petrol (50%) | 382 | 85.1% | 1.8 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2013 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 2013 Subaru Forester vehicles fall between 59,126 and 95,069 miles.
2013 Subaru Forester — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 658 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2013 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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34.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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33.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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29%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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28.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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24.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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17.8%
Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
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17.1%
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013. 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.