How much does a 1997 SUBARU FORESTER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 SUBARU FORESTER?

The 1997 SUBARU FORESTER has a 64% MOT pass rate based on 44 tests in 2026. This ranks 302 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year SUBARU FORESTER is most reliable?

The 2019 SUBARU FORESTER has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 2003 at 71%.

SUBARU FORESTER (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 SUBARU FORESTER?

The average mileage for a 1997 SUBARU FORESTER is 134,428 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 44 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1994cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1994cc29 years old44 tests134k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1994cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1994cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,397

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUBARU brand average of 83%.

At 29 years old, 64% of SUBARU FORESTERs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 44 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 134,428 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars302th of 320(top 94%)

Rank among SUBARU models191th of 193(top 99%)

vs national average-18%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-11%(75% avg)

vs SUBARU average-19%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

134,428

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 SUBARU FORESTER has 134,428 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 71%. The 1997 sits between the two at 64%.

SUBARU FORESTER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	88%	73	55,047 mi
2020	89%	117	56,363 mi
2019	92%	968	40,774 mi
2018	90%	1,617	49,495 mi
2017	88%	1,501	59,999 mi
2016	84%	2,034	68,939 mi
2015	83%	1,719	75,172 mi
2014	81%	2,046	85,284 mi
2013	78%	1,244	95,454 mi
2012	75%	518	104,981 mi
2011	78%	1,406	110,401 mi
2010	73%	1,393	109,597 mi
2009	72%	837	108,694 mi
2008	80%	905	108,470 mi
2007	75%	1,559	109,753 mi
2006	75%	1,646	117,944 mi
2005	74%	1,750	122,626 mi
2004	75%	1,456	125,021 mi
2003	71%	1,132	133,554 mi
2002	76%	465	125,771 mi
2001	72%	391	122,762 mi
2000	72%	315	124,647 mi
1999	77%	344	125,516 mi
1998	74%	242	118,976 mi
1997	64%	44	134,428 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

+3%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+9%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+7%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+14%

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About the 1997 SUBARU FORESTER

The 1997 SUBARU FORESTER is a family car with a 1994cc petrol engine. 44 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 94% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 134,428 miles at 29 years old, SUBARU FORESTER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 SUBARU FORESTER Fuel Costs

The 1994cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 SUBARU FORESTER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 (£200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SUBARU FORESTER Reliability Trend

Newer SUBARU FORESTERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 SUBARU FORESTER

At 29 years old, the SUBARU FORESTER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 SUBARU FORESTER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 134k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 SUBARU FORESTER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SUBARU FORESTER(1997)	64%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2397
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£200
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£570
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.