2001 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · KF51 HHB

The most recent MOT was on 2025-09-03 — just over nine months ago — and it passed at 164,400 miles. However, it followed a failure just six days earlier on 2025-08-29 for the same mileage, primarily due to a defective offside rear seat belt anchorage in the inner wheel arch — a serious safety item. Corrosion is the dominant, recurring issue: rear sub-frame, all four suspension arms (especially rear), inner sills, and wheel arches show consistent deterioration across every MOT since 2023. The rear sub-frame corrosion has been noted every year since 2023 and remains “not seriously weakened” — but it’s persistent and worsening in scope. Suspension bush and pin wear (front and rear) also recurs, with the nearside front bush failing inspection twice in 2024 and 2025. The condition trend is clearly worsening. In 2023, corrosion was widespread but mostly described as non-critical. By 2024, inner sill corrosion was formally logged at both rear mounting points. In 2025, that expanded to include the offside front inner sill being excessively corroded or holed — a step up in severity. The rear brake discs have been worn and pitted since at least 2023, and the rear differential oil leak appeared in 2025, adding a new fluid-related concern.