2007 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · P11 TAJ

A clear pattern of structural and underbody corrosion advisories, alongside suspension component deterioration, defines the mechanical history of this 2007 Subaru Forester. The 2026-06-05 test recorded a pass but with five advisories, including corrosion to both rear brake hose ferrules, underseal covering rear suspension mountings on both sides, a nearside front integral body deformation, and offside front integral body corrosion. Just three days earlier, the same vehicle failed an MOT, though the recorded defects leading to that failure are not visible in the advisory list. Earlier in 2025-05-09, the Forester passed with advisories on both towbar mounting areas and front body structure corrosion on both sides, but on the same date it failed for an ineffective windscreen wiper and an inoperative nearside rear position lamp. The 2024-05-24 test was a pass with corrosion advisories on the offside rear structure and tyre damage across all four corners, while a prior failure on the same date cited severely reduced nearside headlamp intensity. The earliest 2023-07-07 test was a clean pass with no advisories, but a failure days earlier on 2023-07-01 recorded a major defect for an offside front suspension component seriously weakened by corrosion. Across the recorded tests, structural corrosion advisories have expanded progressively from a single offside rear item in 2024 to front and rear integral body areas, towbar zones, and suspension mountings by 2026, suggesting an ongoing rather than static deterioration of the underbody and structural metalwork. The recorded mileage of 130,460 miles across approximately nineteen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,866 miles, which is broadly consistent with typical use for a vehicle of this age. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than erratic. This level of consistent use means consumables such as brake components, tyres, and suspension bushes will have experienced normal wear, but it also means the chassis and underbody have had continuous exposure to road salt and moisture, which is reflected in the corrosion advisories accumulating over successive tests. The mileage figure is not unusual in itself, but the cumulative effect of nineteen winters of road use is clearly visible in the recorded structural advisories. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to examine on a physical inspection are the rear brake hoses, particularly the ferrules where slight corrosion has now been flagged at consecutive tests, as further deterioration could lead to a future failure. On a test drive, the brakes should be assessed for any sponginess or loss of pedal pressure, and the hoses visually inspected for cracking or weeping along their length. The rear suspension mounting areas, currently masked by underseal, warrant close scrutiny on a ramp; knocking or clonking sounds over uneven surfaces, particularly from the rear, would suggest that the corrosion beneath the underseal has progressed further. The front suspension should also be checked for play in the offside component previously flagged as seriously weakened, with attention paid to knocking under braking or over speed humps, and any vagueness in steering response. The structural advisories covering the front and rear body areas, as well as the towbar mounting zones, indicate that corrosion is present within critical load-bearing sections. Although the tester has consistently judged structural rigidity as not significantly reduced, this is a judgement that can change quickly once corrosion advances. On inspection, these areas should be probed or tapped to check for soft metal, and any evidence of previous repair welding or underseal application on the inner sills, chassis rails, or around the towbar should be examined. The 2024 advisories for tyre damage and cracking across all four corners suggest ageing rubber compounds, and any replacement tyres should be checked for even wear patterns. Finally, the recurring lighting and wiper failures from 2024 and 2025 highlight basic electrical maintenance, so all exterior lamps and wiper operation should be verified during a pre-purchase walkaround.