Subaru Forester (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 73 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,236

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2,236/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1995cc5 years old73 tests55k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1995cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,236

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Subaru brand average of 83%.

88% of MOT tests on Subaru Foresters from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 73 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 55,047 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models2856th of 3,336(bottom 15%)

Rank among Subaru models69th of 184(top half)

vs average of all models+6%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average-4%(92% avg)

vs Subaru average+5%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,047

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Subaru Forester had 55,047 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2021 scores 88%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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 Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+4%

Nissan Qashqai

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,853/year

93%

+5%

MINI Cooper

2019 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+4%

Hyundai Tucson

2019 · 1591cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

+2%

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About the 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester is a family car. Our records list a 1995cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 73 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 15% of 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 55,047 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru Forester owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 Subaru Forester Fuel Costs

The 1995cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 Subaru Forester?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,236 (£186/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Subaru Forester Reliability Trend

Newer Subaru Foresters pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Subaru Forester

At 5 years old, the Subaru Forester offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 73 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 2021 Subaru Forester stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Subaru Forester(2021)	88%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,236
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
Nissan Qashqai(2020)	93%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
MINI Cooper(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
Hyundai Tucson(2019)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 Subaru Forester

Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of MOT tests on 2021 Subaru Foresters ended in a pass, from 73 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Subaru Forester cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,236 a year (£186 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Subaru Forester?

88% of 73 MOT tests on the 2021 Subaru Forester ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2856th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom 15%).

Which year Subaru Forester has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Subaru Forester has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 2003 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Subaru Forester?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Subaru Forester is 55,047 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.