2015 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · CE15 AOA

The Subaru Forester currently holds a valid MOT issued on 20 March 2026 at 87,389 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. Ten days prior, on 10 March 2026 at 87,209 miles, the vehicle failed with multiple serious suspension defects, including fractured nearside and offside rear coil springs and an excessively worn nearside front suspension ball joint. The fact that these critical faults were rectified within ten days and the car passed on the second attempt suggests reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent pass is fresh, yet the underlying pattern points to a vehicle that has recently developed significant structural and suspension issues after years of clean records. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for an eleven-year-old vehicle. From 68,601 miles on 24 March 2023 to 74,485 miles on 22 March 2024, the car covered 5,884 miles in twelve months. The following year it added 6,724 miles, reaching 81,462 miles on 27 March 2025. By the March 2026 tests, it had climbed to 87,209 and then 87,389 miles, indicating roughly 5,900 miles in the final annual period. There are no anomalous gaps or sudden spikes in usage. The MOT history itself is complete and consecutive, with annual tests recorded every March from 2023 through 2026, leaving no concerning gaps in the paper trail. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the rear sub-frame area. Both the March 2026 pass and the March 2026 failure flagged a worn rear sub-frame pin or bush and rear sub-frame corrosion, with the pass noting the corrosion was not seriously weakened at that time. This is a recurring advisory that warrants close examination, particularly on a vehicle of this age where structural corrosion can progress rapidly once initiated. The fractured rear coil springs replaced ahead of the March 2026 retest should also be inspected for correct specification and matching pair fitment, and the front suspension ball joint that was replaced should be checked for correct alignment and any associated tyre wear indicative of prior misalignment. Beyond the flagged items, a prospective buyer should inspect the condition of all suspension bushes, drop links, and anti-roll bar components, as well as the underside for any fresh underseal applied to mask corrosion. The nearside rear child seat restriction preventing full seatbelt inspection appeared on both March 2026 tests, so the adult belt mechanism and mounting should be physically verified. Brake discs, pads, and exhaust condition should also be assessed, given the vehicle's age and the recent suspension work that may have disturbed related components.