Car statistics
How many Subaru Foresters are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 15,395 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 15,896 Subaru Foresters licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 3,745 declared off the road (SORN). That is 27.9% fewer than the peak of 22,058 in 2011.
The highest year-end count was 22,058 in 2011.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 502 |
| 1998 | 2,197 |
| 1999 | 4,226 |
| 2000 | 6,091 |
| 2001 | 8,128 |
| 2002 | 10,092 |
| 2003 | 12,788 |
| 2004 | 15,052 |
| 2005 | 17,283 |
| 2006 | 18,547 |
| 2007 | 19,725 |
| 2008 | 20,471 |
| 2009 | 21,151 |
| 2010 | 21,836 |
| 2011 | 22,058 |
| 2012 | 21,526 |
| 2013 | 21,393 |
| 2014 | 21,163 |
| 2015 | 21,067 |
| 2016 | 21,140 |
| 2017 | 20,423 |
| 2018 | 19,845 |
| 2019 | 19,480 |
| 2020 | 18,497 |
| 2021 | 18,099 |
| 2022 | 17,197 |
| 2023 | 16,633 |
| 2024 | 16,284 |
| 2025 | 15,967 |
| 2026 | 15,896 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 70.7% of Subaru Forester MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Subaru Foresters tested pass 69.3% of the time, so the Subaru Forester does better than average for its age, by 1.4 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 70.7%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Subaru Forester | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 89.3% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 86.3% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 75.6% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 65.9% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 61.1% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 61.5% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Subaru Forester fails its MOT, appearing on 47.4% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 5.3% of Subaru Forester tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 47.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 41.0% |
| Brakes | 19.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 17.2% |
| Visibility | 16.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.1% |
| Tyres | 12.3% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Subaru Forester failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 12.0% of 4,511 failed tests. 55.5% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.0% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 10.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.6% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.2% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 7.7% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.4% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.0% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 6.4% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 5.7% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.4% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 14.8% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 13.1% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 8.9% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 8.6% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 8.2% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 5.3% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 5.1% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 4.6% |
| Anti-roll bars: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 3.8% |
| Linkage ball joint has slight play Suspension | 3.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
15 years of the Subaru Forester, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2004 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (65.1% passed first time) and the 2010 cars worst (54.9%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | – | 809 | 65.1% |
| 2005 | – | 997 | 61.0% |
| 2006 | – | 850 | 60.9% |
| 2007 | – | 706 | 63.7% |
| 2008 | – | 520 | 61.3% |
| 2010 | – | 708 | 54.9% |
| 2011 | – | 774 | 62.2% |
| 2013 | – | 784 | 68.3% |
| 2014 | 1,161 | 1,080 | 69.3% |
| 2015 | 1,110 | 1,102 | 72.6% |
| 2016 | 1,199 | 1,155 | 74.4% |
| 2017 | 852 | 848 | 79.9% |
| 2018 | 882 | 875 | 83.3% |
| 2019 | 1,082 | 1,070 | 89.4% |
| 2021 | 706 | 707 | 89.6% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Subaru Forester covers 6,704 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 8,652 |
| 6–7 years | 7,781 |
| 8–10 years | 7,525 |
| 11–14 years | 6,933 |
| 15–19 years | 5,653 |
| 20+ years | 4,890 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Subaru Foresters for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 2,795 in 2003. In 2025, 886 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 2,126 |
| ’02 | 2,156 |
| ’03 | 2,795 |
| ’04 | 2,355 |
| ’05 | 2,432 |
| ’06 | 1,762 |
| ’07 | 1,458 |
| ’08 | 1,035 |
| ’09 | 932 |
| ’10 | 1,216 |
| ’11 | 1,065 |
| ’12 | 518 |
| ’13 | 917 |
| ’14 | 1,232 |
| ’15 | 1,266 |
| ’16 | 1,323 |
| ’17 | 961 |
| ’18 | 1,024 |
| ’19 | 1,227 |
| ’20 | 305 |
| ’21 | 846 |
| ’22 | 340 |
| ’23 | 684 |
| ’24 | 763 |
| ’25 | 886 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 16,285 Subaru Foresters licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 92.6% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 5.7% have an engine of 2,401cc to 2,500cc. Petrols made up 81.3% of those licensed in 2014 and 52.7% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 15,083 licensed | 92.6% |
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 925 licensed | 5.7% |
| Other sizes 277 licensed | 1.7% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 7,391 | 45.4% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 3,926 | 24.1% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Hybrid | 3,731 | 22.9% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Petrol | 915 | 5.6% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 81.3% | 17.7% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 78.6% | 20.5% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 75.8% | 23.3% | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 74.1% | 25.2% | 0.0% |
| 2018 | 72.9% | 26.4% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 70.7% | 26.0% | 2.7% |
| 2020 | 69.0% | 26.9% | 3.5% |
| 2021 | 65.2% | 26.8% | 7.6% |
| 2022 | 63.0% | 27.2% | 9.4% |
| 2023 | 59.8% | 26.7% | 13.1% |
| 2024 | 56.3% | 25.7% | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 52.7% | 24.1% | 22.9% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Subaru Forester from 2000, when the data begins, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and petrol hybrid versions ranges from 32.2 to 34.9 mpg, with CO2 of 183 to 199 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 25.7 to 49.6 mpg, with CO2 of 148 to 261 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 32.2 | 199 | 2019–2021 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 2 |
| 2.0 petrol hybrid | 34.7–34.9 | 183–185 | 2019–2026 | Euro 6d | 8 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 26.4–43.5 | 150–254 | 2000–2018 | Euro 2 to Euro 6b | 82 |
| 2.5 petrol | 25.7–26.9 | 250–261 | 2005–2009 | Euro 3 to Euro 4 | 12 |
| 2.0 diesel | 44.1–49.6 | 148–170 | 2009–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6b | 40 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 12 safety recalls for the Subaru Forester since 1992, the first in 2012. The most recent was launched on 19 September 2022.
All 12 Subaru Forester recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Subaru Forester. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 15,896 | −2.1% | 3,745 | 277 | Petrol |
| Subaru Impreza | 11,510 | −7.3% | 16,565 | 323 | Petrol |
| Subaru Outback | 9,169 | +0.6% | 1,014 | 348 | Petrol |
| Subaru XV | 7,033 | −1.8% | 136 | 386 | Petrol |
| Subaru Legacy | 3,684 | −12.0% | 3,386 | 472 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 19,641 Forester records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 15,395 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
