Used car guide

2008 Subaru Forester diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Subaru Forester first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 171 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 171 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

171MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Subaru Forester diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Subaru Forester diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Subaru Forester
    28.1% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2008 Subaru Forester diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Subaru Forester diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    37% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Subaru Forester diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2008 Subaru Forester diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Subaru Forester?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Subaru Forester compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022282Tyres 20%
20211,470Tyres 23%
2020700Tyres 22%
20193,291Tyres 23%
20182,755Tyres 21%
20172,699Suspension 23%
20163,545Suspension 30%
20152,960Suspension 33%
20143,403Suspension 37%
20132,494Suspension 41%
20121,291Suspension 50%
20112,609Suspension 49%
20102,342Suspension 56%
20091,367Suspension 53%
20072,529Suspension 43%
20062,721Suspension 44%
20052,982Suspension 45%
20042,426Suspension 46%
20031,866Suspension 51%
2002835Suspension 48%
2001669Suspension 47%
2000512Suspension 51%
1999382Suspension 53%
1998199Suspension 48%
1997–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Subaru Forester cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score