1999 Subaru Forester: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Subaru Forester?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Subaru Forester than on all cars registered in 1999.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes4.8× usual
  Subaru Forester

  12.6% All 1999 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.5% of all 1999 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.

• Sub-frame4.1× usual
  Subaru Forester

  12.6% All 1999 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 1999 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 arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
  Subaru Forester

  14.9% All 1999 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 1.2% of all 1999 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Subaru Forester

  11.8% All 1999 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.1× usual
  Subaru Forester

  9.7% All 1999 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 4.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 1999 Subaru Forester MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Subaru Forester MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  53% 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
  35% 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
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  24% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  20% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 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 anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 1999 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the 1999 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1999 Subaru Forester as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?