2002 Subaru Forester: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Subaru Forester?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Subaru Forester than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Sub-frame2.6× usual
  Subaru Forester

  11.4% All 2002 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm2.4× usual
  Subaru Forester

  7.4% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2002 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.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes2.2× usual
  Subaru Forester

  5.1% All 2002 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.5% of all 2002 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.

• Seat belts2.1× usual
  Subaru Forester

  3.8% All 2002 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.6% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

Common 2002 Subaru Forester MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  34% 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
  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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Subaru Forester

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2002 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2002 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2002 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?