2009 Subaru Forester 2.0L Diesel · FE09 VFY

The 2009 Subaru Forester passed its most recent MOT on 18 March 2024 at 146,184 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance trend that is stable at best and quietly worsening in key areas. The tester flagged perished and worn front lower suspension arm bushes on both sides, slight play in the nearside front ball joint, slight play in the offside steering rack inner joint, noisy rear wheel bearings, and a slight oil misting from the rear differential output seals. None of these items caused a failure, yet their simultaneous presence at the latest test points to a vehicle that has been kept roadworthy rather than properly corrected. The pattern is not catastrophic, but it is not improving either. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 8,600 miles per year, which is typical for a vehicle of this age and suggests consistent use rather than long periods of neglect. The jump from 128,761 miles in April 2022 to 139,196 miles in March 2023 represents about 10,435 miles in just under twelve months, a slightly busier period. From March 2023 to March 2024 the car added only 6,988 miles, indicating a drop in annual use. The MOT record itself is reasonably complete with consecutive annual tests, so there are no alarming gaps in the documented history. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering components. The rear lower suspension arm bushes have been flagged as worn or perished in every test from 2022 through 2024, which suggests either repeated patch repairs or original components that were never fully replaced. The slight play in the nearside front ball joint and the offside steering rack inner joint recorded in 2024 deserve close attention, as these can develop into more serious looseness if left unattended. The rear wheel bearings were noted as slightly noisy at the last test, and combined with the rear differential oil misting, the rear drivetrain area warrants a thorough check for leaks, play, and noise on a test drive. Tyre condition has been a recurring advisory theme, with cuts, perishing, and edge wear appearing across multiple years, which implies basic tyre upkeep has been reactive rather than proactive.