2014 Subaru Forester 2.0L Diesel · MV14 RNJ

The 2014 Subaru Forester presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent test on 7 November 2025 at 88,765 miles resulted in a pass, but the advisories reveal a vehicle that is only just meeting minimum standards. The nearside front tyre worn to the legal limit and a deteriorated rear registration plate indicate cosmetic and consumable neglect rather than a serious structural failure. However, the maintenance trend is not consistently improving. The record shows a fractured offside rear coil spring in November 2024, a significant structural failure that demands immediate repair. Passing a retest seven days later suggests the spring was replaced, but the subsequent November 2025 test flagged a tyre on the legal limit, hinting that ongoing basic upkeep may be reactive rather than preventative. The mileage accumulation is steady and unremarkable for a twelve-year-old vehicle. Between 7 November 2023 and 12 November 2024, the odometer moved from 76,328 to 83,892 miles, a gain of roughly 7,564 miles in twelve months. The final jump to 88,765 miles by November 2025 adds another 4,873 miles, indicating a slight reduction in annual use. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the recorded intervals, and the overall annual average of approximately 7,397 miles sits comfortably within typical expectations for a vehicle of this age and type. A buyer should approach this Forester with a focused inspection of its front suspension and braking components. The November 2023 failure flagged excessively worn front suspension arm pins and bushes on both sides, a defect that directly affects steering precision and structural integrity. Although the vehicle passed its next test, worn bushes often return, so any clunking from the front end or uneven tyre wear warrants immediate attention. The repeated appearance of brake pads wearing thin in 2023 and a fractured coil spring in 2024 point to a car that has endured hard use without always receiving timely servicing. Have a technician check the condition of the rear suspension bushes and the remaining coil springs for cracks or corrosion, particularly given the Subaru's all-wheel-drive layout, which places additional stress on these components. The nearside front tyre worn to the legal limit in November 2025 also raises a question about wheel alignment; a tracking check is advisable to rule out a persistent suspension geometry issue that could destroy a new set of tyres quickly.