Used car guide

2015 Subaru Forestr: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Subaru Forestr first registered in 2015: we looked at the 468 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 468 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

468MOTs of 2015 cars, done in 2023–2025
74%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%)
8,200typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Subaru Forestr?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Subaru Forestr than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.3× usual
    Subaru Forestr
    19.4% All 2015 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Subaru Forestr
    7.1% All 2015 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.7% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5.8% here, against 13.2% of all 2015 cars.

Common 2015 Subaru Forestr MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Subaru Forestr MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% 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
    2% 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 2015 Subaru Forestr

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 3.3× as often on the 2015 Subaru Forestr as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2015 Subaru Forestr as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Subaru Forestr?

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

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 Forestr cars first registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score