Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOT pass rate and common problems
95.6% of 2,083 Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOT tests pass.
The Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr passes its MOT 95.6% of the time — well above the average across all Subaru models, which sits at 80.9%.
The Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr passes its MOT 95.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr?
This is the average across every Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Subaru’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 96.3% at 0–3 years versus 95.3% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.3% | 694 | 25,258 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.3% | 1,389 | 31,928 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr
The most common reason the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr fails its MOT is tyres — present in 42.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 42.5% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 35.1% | Too low |
| Visibility | 23.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 7.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 2.2% | Has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.2% | Damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.5% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 0.7% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr: what to check
These checks follow the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 95.3% down to 86.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 42.5% of failed Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 35.1% of failed Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 23.9% of failed Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.2% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 7.5% of failed Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 2.2% of failed Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Subaru service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Subaru models
- Subaru XV — 85.1% pass rate
- Subaru Legacy — 71.2% pass rate
- Subaru WRX — 93.1% pass rate
- Subaru BRZ — 92.4% pass rate
- Subaru Levorg — 90.0% pass rate
- Subaru XV I SE Prem E Boxer — 97.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr?
- 95.6% of Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr MOT tests pass, based on 2,083 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr?
- The most common reason the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr fails its MOT is tyres — present in 42.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Subaru Forester I Xe PRM Ebxr's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Subaru service history guide for how to check and keep one.