Subaru Forester XS Auto (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 39 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1995cc14 years old39 tests85k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1995cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,711

Per month£226/mo

Per week£52/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.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Subaru brand average of 83%.

69% of MOT tests on Subaru Forester XS Autos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 39 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 84,670 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models625th of 650(bottom 4%)

Rank among Subaru models178th of 184(bottom 4%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-9%(78% avg)

vs Subaru average-14%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

84,670

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto had 84,670 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+9%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+3%

Mercedes C

2012 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,511/year

79%

+10%

MINI

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

+11%

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About the 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto

The 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto is a family car. Our records list a 1995cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 39 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 4% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 84,670 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Subaru Forester XS Auto owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto 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 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto

At 14 years old, the Subaru Forester XS Auto 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. Note: with only 39 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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 14 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

Medium risk

With an average of 85k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% 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 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto 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 XS Auto(2012)	69%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Mercedes C(2012)	79%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511-£200
MINI(2010)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£633

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 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto

Is the 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2012 Subaru Forester XS Autos ended in a pass, from 39 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto?

69% of 39 MOT tests on the 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 625th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 4%).

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Subaru Forester XS Auto is 84,670 miles, which is in line with the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.