2009 Subaru Forester diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Subaru Forester diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Subaru Forester diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Subaru Forester

  25% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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 joints20.1× usual
  Subaru Forester

  14.1% All 2009 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.2% of all 2009 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.

• Ball joint2.3× usual
  Subaru Forester

  14.4% All 2009 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.

• Sub-frame2.3× usual
  Subaru Forester

  13.7% All 2009 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  Subaru Forester

  14.4% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2009 Subaru Forester diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Subaru Forester diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  26% 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
  15% 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
  11% 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 2009 Subaru Forester diesel

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 2.4× as often on the 2009 Subaru Forester diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 20.1× as often on the 2009 Subaru Forester diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2009 Subaru Forester diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?