2016 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · CA16 DZE

The 2016 Subaru Forester presents a broadly stable roadworthiness profile with a recent clean pass in June 2025 at 79,400 miles, though the record contains one significant mechanical intervention that warrants scrutiny. The vehicle failed its first MOT attempt in June 2023 at 55,215 miles due to excessively worn nearside and offside front lower suspension arm pins or bushes, both requiring immediate attention. These components were rectified before the subsequent pass three days later at 55,235 miles, and no suspension-related defects have reappeared since. The most recent test flags rear tyre wear advisories on both sides, indicating consumable deterioration rather than structural compromise. Annual mileage accumulation has been exceptionally consistent and moderate: approximately 11,171 miles between June 2022 and June 2023, 13,808 miles in the following year, and 10,357 miles between June 2024 and June 2025. This pattern aligns closely with the ten-year average of 7,940 miles annually, though the 2023-2024 interval shows elevated use. The steady odometer progression with no prolonged gaps suggests regular operation rather than extended storage periods, which can introduce their own complications in Subaru boxer engines and all-wheel-drive systems. The suspension bush failure at 55,215 miles represents the most serious defect in this history. Lower arm bush wear at that mileage on a ten-year-old vehicle indicates either accumulated road fatigue or potential deferred maintenance; the simultaneous bilateral failure suggests the latter. A prospective buyer should inspect the front suspension comprehensively, including upper arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and damper mountings, as these components often degrade in parallel. The rear tyre wear pattern flagged in 2025, edge-worn on both sides, may indicate alignment drift or suspension geometry changes following the 2023 repairs. No corrosion, structural, brake, or emissions defects appear across five years of testing, which is encouraging for this model. The absence of advisories between 2022 and 2024, followed by tyre wear notes in 2025, reflects predictable consumable aging rather than escalating mechanical decline. Prioritise a pre-purchase inspection focusing on front suspension integrity, wheel alignment verification, and tyre condition assessment. Request documentation confirming the specific parts fitted during the 2023 rectification, as pattern-part bushes may offer shorter service life than original equipment.