Used car guide

2014 Subaru Forester: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Subaru Foresters, from 1,125 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,125MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,000typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Subaru Foresters than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Subaru Forester
    20.8% All 2014 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint2.8× usual
    Subaru Forester
    11.9% All 2014 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.3% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints12.7× usual
    Subaru Forester
    3.8% All 2014 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Wheel bearings2.5× usual
    Subaru Forester
    2.8% All 2014 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.9% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    25% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021738Tyres 24%
20191,103Tyres 23%
2018921Suspension 23%
2017899Suspension 29%
20161,180Suspension 33%
2015982Suspension 36%
2013738Suspension 45%
2011773Suspension 52%
2010683Suspension 59%
2008515Suspension 54%
2007766Suspension 45%
2006805Suspension 45%
2005854Suspension 46%
2004702Suspension 46%
2003503Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Subaru Foresters registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score