2012 Subaru Forester petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
  Subaru Forester

  22.6% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, 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 joints17.6× usual
  Subaru Forester

  8.8% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, 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.

Common 2012 Subaru Forester petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  40% 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
  22% 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
  21% 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.

• Brakes
  19% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% 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
  7% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Subaru Forester petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 17.6× as often on the 2012 Subaru Forester petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?