2004 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · YM54 AJU
2004 Subaru Forester (2.0L, petrol). First registered 24 Dec 2004. Recorded mileage 76,452 miles. MOT expired on 12 Aug 2026. Taxed until 01 Feb 2027.
- Make & Model
- SUBARU FORESTER
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Sheffield
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 12 Aug 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Feb 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 76,452 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
YM54 AJU Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 12/08/2026
- 76,452 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring exhaust & emissions items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
YM54 AJU Mileage History
- 10/08/202369,811 mi
- 11/08/202368,924 mi-887 mi
- 08/08/202470,907 mi+1,983 mi
- 14/08/202573,122 mi+2,215 mi
- 12/08/202676,452 mi+3,330 mi
Average of roughly 2,209 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
YM54 AJU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Subaru Forester (YM54 AJU) between August 2023 and August 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 12 August 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Exhaust & Emissions (7 issues), Lighting (6 issues), Windscreen (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 9 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Upper Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened front subframe chalked (5.3.3 (b) (i))”; “Nearside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective need polishing (4.1.1 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A cautious recommendation for buyers looking for a low-mileage example of this classic SUV. The recent MOT history is clean, though buyers should remain mindful of common mechanical wear points typical for this model.
When inspecting this 2.0L petrol Forester, focus on the underside of the vehicle. Given the model's aggregate data, you should pay close attention to the condition of the suspension arms and anti-roll bars, as these are frequent failure points for this specific model across the wider fleet.
Ask the seller for evidence of recent maintenance regarding the lighting systems, as headlamp issues are a common reason for MOT failure in this vehicle type. While the recent MOTs for YM54AJU have been defect-free, checking the service history for regular oil changes is vital for the longevity of the 1994cc engine.
As a 2.0L petrol vehicle, running costs will be higher than a modern small hatchback. You should expect moderate fuel consumption typical of a 2004-era SUV, and insurance groups for older Subarus can vary depending on the driver's profile.
Maintenance costs should be budgeted for suspension components and lighting, which are statistically common repairs for the Forester. The estimated annual running cost covers fuel, tax, insurance, and routine maintenance.
Specifically check the suspension setup. Model aggregate data indicates that suspension arms and anti-roll bars are top reasons for MOT failures, so look for any signs of play, knocking, or perished rubber bushings during a test drive.
Additionally, verify the functionality of all headlamps and indicators. Although this specific vehicle passed its 2024 and 2025 tests without defects, headlamps are a high-frequency failure point for the Forester model and should be a primary inspection item.
This 2004 silver Subaru Forester has covered 73,122 miles, which is significantly lower than the model average of 6,622 miles per year. The MOT history shows a consistent pattern of passing, with the most recent two tests in 2024 and 2025 recording no defects. While there was a failure recorded in August 2023, the vehicle has since maintained a clean record.
Aggregate data for this model shows a 78.8% average MOT pass rate, with suspension and lighting being the primary areas of concern.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (YM54 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as YM54AJU.
MITSUBISHI
L200 DOUBLE CAB
MITSUBISHI
L200 DOUBLE CAB
MITSUBISHI
L200 DOUBLE CAB
MITSUBISHI
SHOGUN
MITSUBISHI
L200 DOUBLE CAB
AUDI
A4
AUDI
A3
SUBARU
FORESTER
FORD
FIESTA
FORD
FIESTA
HONDA
CIVIC
HONDA
JAZZ
SUBARU FORESTER Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2004 model year cars.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.