Used car guide

2016 Subaru Forester: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Subaru Foresters, from 1,180 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,180MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,700typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Subaru Foresters than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.3× usual
    Subaru Forester
    20.2% All 2016 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Wheel bearings5.5× usual
    Subaru Forester
    3.3% All 2016 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints8.7× usual
    Subaru Forester
    2.6% All 2016 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

By area

The share of 2016 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% 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.

  • Steering
    2% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021738Tyres 24%
20191,103Tyres 23%
2018921Suspension 23%
2017899Suspension 29%
2015982Suspension 36%
20141,125Suspension 41%
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 2016 Subaru Foresters registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score