2003 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · YA53 VUO
2003 Subaru Forester (2.0L, petrol). First registered 23 Dec 2003. Recorded mileage 118,302 miles. MOT expired on 10 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- SUBARU FORESTER
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 10 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 118,302 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
YA53 VUO Key Findings
- 28 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 11/11/2025
- 118,302 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 8 historical MOT failures
- 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (42 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
YA53 VUO MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
28 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Subaru Forester (YA53 VUO) between December 2006 and November 2025.
The record contains 20 passes and 8 failures.
The most recent test on 11 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 8 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (42 issues), Suspension (13 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (7 issues), Tyres (5 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 65 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: “Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))”; “Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded 3x pipes into connector block (1.1.11 (c))”; “Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))”.
YA53 VUO Mileage History
- 14/12/200617,659 mi
- 13/12/200725,513 mi+7,854 mi
- 09/12/200832,698 mi+7,185 mi
- 09/12/200832,698 mi
- 11/12/200940,334 mi+7,636 mi
- 17/12/201047,658 mi+7,324 mi
- 22/12/201154,706 mi+7,048 mi
- 22/12/201154,706 mi
- 19/12/201263,228 mi+8,522 mi
- 19/12/201370,084 mi+6,856 mi
- 15/12/201475,954 mi+5,870 mi
- 15/12/201475,954 mi
- 21/10/201581,480 mi+5,526 mi
- 13/10/201685,833 mi+4,353 mi
- 10/10/201790,469 mi+4,636 mi
- 11/10/201894,328 mi+3,859 mi
- 12/10/201894,328 mi
- 15/10/201997,378 mi+3,050 mi
- 15/10/201997,378 mi
- 22/10/202099,296 mi+1,918 mi
- 22/10/202099,296 mi
- 18/10/2021100,945 mi+1,649 mi
- 18/10/2021100,945 mi
- 19/10/2022102,639 mi+1,694 mi
- 14/10/2023108,074 mi+5,435 mi
- 19/10/2024114,255 mi+6,181 mi
- 11/11/2025118,302 mi+4,047 mi
- 11/11/2025118,302 mi
Average of roughly 5,322 miles per year across 28 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Subaru Subaru Forester Mk2 (SG)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
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.
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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.
- Self-Levelling Suspension (SLS) FailureModerate
The original rear struts leak and sag over time, leaving the rear of the SG sitting low, especially when towing or loaded. Suspension is a leading MOT failure area on this generation, and genuine OEM SLS parts are expensive in the UK.
- Rear Subframe and Mounting Point CorrosionModerate
UK road salt attacks the rear subframe and its suspension mounting points, often before the body panels look especially rusty. Corrosion around prescribed areas is a recorded MOT failure on this generation and can become structural if ignored.
- Exhaust System Corrosion and LeaksModerate
The SG's exhaust, silencer and pipes rust under UK winter salt, causing loud blowing or rattling noises and potential MOT failure on exhaust noise, emissions or leaks. Once the car has covered high mileage on salty roads this is a common and predictable wear item.
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