2003 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · VE52 YRV
2003 Subaru Forester (2.0L, petrol). First registered 01 Feb 2003. Recorded mileage 180,693 miles. MOT expired on 30 Apr 2024.
- Make & Model
- SUBARU FORESTER
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 30 Apr 2024
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Jul 2023)
- Recorded Mileage
- 180,693 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
VE52 YRV Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 02/05/2023
- 180,693 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring exhaust & emissions items (2 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.
VE52 YRV Mileage History
- 26/07/2022175,381 mi
- 29/07/2022175,381 mi
- 02/05/2023180,693 mi+5,312 mi
Average of roughly 6,926 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
VE52 YRV MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Subaru Forester (VE52 YRV) between July 2022 and May 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 02 May 2023 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Steering (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 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 Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn rear anti rollbar (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Emissions not tested due to exhaust blow (8.2.1.2 (d))”; “Front Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
This 2003 Subaru Forester presents a mixed proposition with high mileage but clean recent MOT test outcomes. Buyers should approach with caution and verify the supporting service records alongside a thorough physical inspection.
When viewing this 2003 Subaru Forester, thoroughly examine the documentary evidence accompanying the car to establish how maintenance has been handled over its 180,693 miles. Given the high mileage, check for any gaps in service records and investigate the circumstances behind the July 2022 MOT failure where test records show an initial failure followed by a pass on the same day.
Negotiate on price by factoring in the high mileage relative to the 6,551 miles per year model average. Use the vehicle's age and recorded test history as leverage, ensuring you budget for potential wear and tear items common to older four-wheel-drive petrol vehicles.
Running a 19.9-litre petrol Subaru Forester from 2003 will involve notable expenditure on fuel, particularly given the permanent all-wheel-drive system which impacts fuel economy. Insurance group ratings for this era of Forester typically sit in the mid-range, though older age profiles can help offset premiums.
Maintenance and road tax costs should be factored into your annual budget. Because model statistics highlight headlamp, suspension arm, and tyre issues as common MOT failure points across the fleet, preventative upkeep may be higher than average for this high-mileage example.
Pay close attention to the areas highlighted by model aggregate statistics, specifically checking the condition of the headlamps, suspension arms, and tyres. Look underneath the green bodywork for signs of corrosion on the chassis and subframes, which are common points of concern on 2003 Japanese vehicles.
Inspect the braking system, exhaust integrity, and suspension bushes for excessive play or wear. Although the May 2023 and July 2022 tests recorded no defects upon passing, a comprehensive ramp inspection is essential to uncover hidden wear consistent with a vehicle of this age and mileage.
First registered in February 2003 with a 1994.0cc petrol engine and finished in green, this Forester has accumulated 180,693 miles by its May 2023 MOT test. The vehicle recorded a pass on that date with no defects noted, following a pass and an initial failure on the same day in July 2022. With a mileage well above the model average, it requires careful scrutiny of its mechanical components.
The Subaru Forester has an average MOT pass rate of 78.3% across 17,541 analysed vehicles, with headlamps, suspension arms, and tyres being the most frequent failure items.
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 (VE52 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as VE52YRV.
RENAULT
LAGUNA
MERCEDES-BENZ
C
RENAULT
LAGUNA
RENAULT
CLIO
TOYOTA
AVENSIS
RENAULT
CLIO
RENAULT
CLIO
RENAULT
MEGANE SCENIC
RENAULT
CLIO
RENAULT
MEGANE
MINI
COOPER
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
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 2003 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.