Is the Subaru Forester ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 16,641 MOT tests, around 56% of Subaru Foresters still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 17% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 27%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 68% petrol, 27% diesel. Petrol Foresters are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel Foresters are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 56%
- Likely charged
- 17%
- Depends on the car
- 27%
- MOT tests analysed
- 16,641
Check a specific Forester
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Forester ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Foresters of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Likely compliant58 tested | – | Likely compliant187 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant602 tested | Likely compliant4 tested | Likely compliant515 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant790 tested | Likely compliant153 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant600 tested | Likely compliant323 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant629 tested | Likely compliant578 tested | Likely compliant1 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant564 tested | Check exact car449 tested | – |
| 2014 | Likely compliant551 tested | Check exact car614 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely compliant437 tested | Likely charged423 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely compliant158 tested | Likely charged287 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely compliant254 tested | Likely charged669 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely compliant206 tested | Likely charged671 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely compliant205 tested | Likely charged308 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely compliant546 tested | Likely charged71 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely compliant910 tested | Likely charged2 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely compliant1,007 tested | Likely charged1 tested | – |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard1,138 tested | – | – |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard901 tested | – | – |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard737 tested | Likely charged1 tested | – |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard334 tested | – | – |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard255 tested | – | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged177 tested | Likely charged1 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged155 tested | – | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged76 tested | – | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Forester
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (68% of Foresters tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (27% of Foresters tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (4% of Foresters tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
Foresters from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (27% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Subaru can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Foresters fare at the MOT too: see the Subaru Forester MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Subaru Forester for London: what the MOT data shows
The Subaru Foresters in this data were first registered between 1998 and 2020. 2016 was the most common year, with 1,208 tests (7% of the total), and half were registered in 2011 or later.
Foresters from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 75% of the time, at an average of 72,822 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 63% of the time with 104,448 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Foresters likely to comply are from 2006. 1,007 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 58% of the time and averaged 115,651 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Foresters likely to comply are from 2016. 578 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 79% of the time and averaged 59,779 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Forester's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (7.4% of tests); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (3.6%) and "pin or bush excessively worn" (3.5%). The most frequent advisory was "pin or bush excessively worn", on 15.6% of tests.
Overall, 70% of Foresters passed first time, slightly below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 88,716 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Subaru models
About this data
Based on 16,641 first MOT tests of the Subaru Forester carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 16,641 MOT tests say about the Subaru Forester and London's ULEZ.
Is the Subaru Forester ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 56% of Foresters on the road are likely compliant and 17% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Forester years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Foresters first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Forester ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Foresters from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Forester is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
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Is your Forester ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.