2015 Subaru XV 2.0L Petrol · M70 PAR

The 2026-04-20 MOT was passed, but with two significant suspension warnings: both nearside and offside front suspension arm pin/bush wear was noted—specifically the rear-most bushes—though not yet causing excessive movement. This is a direct progression from earlier MOTs where similar wear was flagged but with increasingly specific descriptions (e.g., “cracking” in 2025, “excessively worn” ball joint in 2024). The suspension wear pattern is clearly worsening. From 2024 to 2026, the issue moved from inner bushes cracking to rear-most bushes worn to the point of requiring replacement advice. A failed MOT in April 2024 cited an excessively worn ball joint on the nearside front—classified under the same regulation (5.3.4(a)(i))—indicating active deterioration in front suspension integrity. Mileage is 72,282 at 11 years old (approx. 6,571 miles/year), which is broadly typical. However, the progression of failures across relatively low annual mileage suggests either intermittent heavy use (e.g., rough roads, hard braking) or long periods of inactivity leading to bush drying/cracking. The parking brake efficiency only “just met” in 2025 is also a concern, especially as it coincided with visible suspension wear—suggesting possible correlated underuse or lack of maintenance. Tyre damage also escalated: a minor cut in 2025 became a serious cut reaching the cords in 2024—enough to cause failure.