2009 Subaru Forester petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints13× usual
  Subaru Forester

  9.1% All 2009 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
  Subaru Forester

  8.9% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.6% 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.

• Engine warning light2.5× usual
  Subaru Forester

  5.6% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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 2009 Subaru Forester petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  49% 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
  29% 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
  29% 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
  27% 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
  12% 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 an engine warning light.

• 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 petrol

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 bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 13× as often on the 2009 Subaru Forester petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Subaru Forester petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2009 Subaru Forester petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?