2012 Subaru Forester: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Subaru Forester?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Subaru Forester than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.8× usual
  Subaru Forester

  25.8% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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 bushes and joints21× usual
  Subaru Forester

  10.5% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.7× usual
  Subaru Forester

  8.1% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3.1× usual
  Subaru Forester

  7.4% All 2012 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Subaru Forester

  8.1% All 2012 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2012 Subaru Forester MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  30% 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
  26% 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
  23% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  5% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2012 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 21× as often on the 2012 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2012 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?