2012 Subaru Forester 2.0L Diesel · NJ62 UGT

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a clear shift toward deteriorating suspension components. While it passed the most recent test in September 2025 at 91,685 miles, the tester identified wear on both nearside and offside front suspension arm bushes, alongside play in the offside front lower ball joint. This represents a progression from the August 2024 test, where similar ball joint issues and a rear anti-roll bar linkage defect were flagged. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,500 miles per year. The record shows steady usage with roughly 3,000 to 5,000 miles covered between annual tests from 2021 through 2025. The clean records in 2022 and 2023 suggest a period of good mechanical health, but the recent appearance of multiple-related faults indicates that the rubber and metal components are now failing due to age rather than high mileage mileage. A buyer should prioritize a thorough physical inspection of the front end geometry, as the recurring faults on ball joints and bushes suggest that significant investment in suspension arms and linkages may be imminent. The 2024 report of pitted brake discs and deteriorated exhaust joints, combined with the 2021 finding of corroded silencers, indicates that the underbody is beginning to succumb to corrosion. Check the exhaust system and structural mounting points to ensure that the deterioration noted in previous years has not progressed into structural failure.