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Official DVLA Record
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2003 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · DG03 ETE

DG03 ETE

2003 Subaru Forester (2.0L, petrol). First registered 15 Jul 2003. Recorded mileage 119,905 miles. MOT valid until 06 Nov 2026. Taxed until 01 Dec 2026.

Make & Model
SUBARU FORESTER
Year / Origin
2003 · Chester
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 06 Nov 2026
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Dec 2026)
Recorded Mileage
119,905 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 2.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 06 Nov 2026
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Dec 2026
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2003
Engine
1994cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle's overall roadworthiness is currently non-compliant, as the most recent MOT on 2026-06-18 failed. This failure occurred at 119,905 miles in November 2025, placing the test date approximately 10 months prior to the current date of 2026-06-18. The maintenance history indicates a clear trend of worsening condition, driven by rapid mileage accumulation over the past two years. The vehicle has been tested in November 2025, October 2025, and December 2024, with the most recent failure occurring in December 2024 at 113,190 miles. This pattern suggests that the vehicle's mechanical integrity has deteriorated significantly over time, particularly in the suspension and braking systems, rather than being a result of a single incident. The data shows that the vehicle has been tested multiple times but consistently failed, with the most recent failure occurring in December 2024 at 113,190 miles, indicating that the condition has not improved since the last successful test. The mileage pattern reveals a notable gap between the vehicle's age and its current performance. The 2003 Subaru Forester is approximately 23 years old, yet it has only been tested once in November 2025. This represents a significant lack of maintenance history, as the vehicle has not been serviced in the past two years. The mileage accumulation is high, averaging roughly 5,200 miles per year, which is consistent with the vehicle's age and suggests that the owner has maintained a high mileage level without addressing the underlying mechanical issues. The test on 2025-11-07 was conducted at 119,905 miles, while the most recent failure on 2024-12-23 was at 113,313 miles, confirming that the vehicle has experienced a substantial loss of structural rigidity over the last two years. This rapid mileage increase without corresponding maintenance suggests that the vehicle is likely in a state of imminent breakdown due to wear and tear on critical components. Given the recurring failures in the suspension, brakes, and structural integrity, a buyer must inspect the vehicle for active mechanical risks. The most critical areas to evaluate are the suspension components, specifically the rear and front shock absorbers, suspension arms, and ball joints, which have been repeatedly flagged as worn or failing. Additionally, the braking system must be inspected for binding conditions, as the most recent test on 2025-11-07 flagged the front brake pad as wearing thin. The rear sub-frame and integral body structure are also flagged as corroded, which poses a risk to the vehicle's structural integrity and potential safety hazards. The buyer should also verify the condition of the headlamps and lower suspension components, as these were identified as having incorrect aim or wear, which could affect visibility and handling. A thorough physical inspection is required to assess the condition of the suspension, brakes, and structural components, as well as to identify any other potential issues such as exhaust emissions or corrosion that may have been overlooked in the MOT records.
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DG03 ETE Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 07/11/2025
  • 119,905 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring suspension items (11 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

DG03 ETE MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 19 Oct 2026, 02:00
MOT Analysis

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 2003 Subaru Forester (DG03 ETE) between December 2023 and November 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 07 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (11 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 18 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 Sub-frame corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced mouthing bracke”; “Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

DG03 ETE Mileage History

  1. 18/12/2023108,436 mi
  2. 16/12/2024113,190 mi+4,754 mi
  3. 23/12/2024113,313 mi+123 mi
  4. 27/10/2025119,824 mi+6,511 mi
  5. 07/11/2025119,905 mi+81 mi

Average of roughly 6,069 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
75
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

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.

Valid MOT
Taxed
Average MOT pass rate (60%)
Older vehicle
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Experian Provenance Data

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9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

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SCRAPPED RECORD

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

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