2004 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · AE54 NVP

Based on the official DVSA MOT records, this 2004 Subaru Forester presents a stable and reassuring maintenance trend. The most recent test, conducted on 18 August 2025 at 93,654 miles, passed with zero defects recorded. A prior test just three days earlier on 15 August 2025 at 93,640 miles also shows no defects listed against the failure, suggesting the rectification was swift and effective. The record shows a consistent pattern of clean passes stretching back to December 2022, with no recurring faults, advisories, or failures noted across five consecutive tests. This indicates a vehicle that has been maintained to a solid mechanical standard in recent years. The mileage pattern tells an interesting story for a vehicle of this age. At roughly 22 years old with 93,654 recorded miles, the annual average sits at approximately 4,257 miles per year, which is notably low. Between the August 2024 test at 82,931 miles and the August 2025 test at 93,654 miles, the vehicle covered 10,723 miles in twelve months, a significant jump compared to the longer-term average. Prior to that, the annual mileage was considerably lower, with only 699 miles covered between December 2022 and August 2023, and 4,522 miles between August 2023 and August 2024. This suggests the vehicle may have seen a period of very light use or standing time before being driven more actively in the past year. Despite the clean MOT history, a buyer should still carry out a thorough in-person inspection. Low annual mileage over many years can mask issues such as deteriorated rubber suspension bushes, perished brake hoses, and corroded brake lines caused by age rather than use. The Subaru boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel-drive drivetrain deserve particular attention. Check for oil leaks around the cam covers and rear main seal, inspect the condition of the exhaust system for corrosion, and examine the underside for structural rust, especially around the rear subframe, sills, and jacking points. Tyre age should also be verified, as rubber degrades with time regardless of tread depth. The braking and suspension systems warrant a close look on a test drive. Listen for knocking from the front struts and rear dampers, and feel for any vagueness in the steering that could indicate worn track rod ends or drop links. Given the spike in recent mileage, confirm that the clutch engagement is smooth and the gearbox shifts cleanly across all gears, including the turbocharged model's turbocharger boost response if applicable. A clean MOT record is encouraging, but age-related deterioration on a 22-year-old vehicle is inevitable, and a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic remains a sensible precaution.