2010 Subaru Forester 2.0L Diesel · PO10 CEC

A clear pattern of progressive suspension wear runs through the MOT record, culminating in a 2025 failure where both rear‑axle top‑arm ball joints and front‑lower arm pins or bushes were judged excessively worn – a major safety concern that was apparently remedied before the December 2025 pass, which recorded no defects. Earlier tests repeatedly flagged front and rear anti‑roll‑bar bush wear, ball‑joint play and a deteriorated dust cover on the nearside front lower suspension, while the 2025 advisory list also highlighted brake‑disc wear and tyre tread approaching the legal limit. The trend shows a vehicle that has required increasingly invasive suspension work, but which has, at least once, been brought back to a passable state. At 137,874 mi spread over sixteen years the average annual mileage sits around 8,600 mi, a figure that sits comfortably within normal private‑use expectations and suggests the car has not been subjected to extreme high‑speed or heavy‑load duty. The MOT history shows no long gaps between tests, indicating the vehicle has been kept on the road and subjected to regular statutory checks, which helps to surface wear issues early. Nevertheless, the cumulative mileage combined with the documented suspension component wear means that bushings, ball joints and anti‑roll‑bar links are likely approaching the end of their service life and may be prone to accelerated degradation. When inspecting the car, focus on the suspension and steering assemblies: listen for clunking or knocking over bumps, feel for any looseness or wandering when steering at low speed, and check for uneven tyre wear that could indicate mis‑aligned or worn ball joints. Verify that the front brake discs have sufficient remaining thickness and are free of scoring; any pulsation in the pedal or squealing under hard braking could signal the wear noted in the recent advisory. Examine the tyre sidewalls and tread depth, especially on the front wheels, as the last MOT flagged them close to the legal limit. Inspect the rear exhaust pipe joints for rust or cracks, a recurring advisory, and confirm that the rear fog lamp on the off‑side operates, since a major failure was recorded in 2020. A prudent buyer should arrange a thorough pre‑purchase inspection that includes measuring suspension bushings and ball‑joint clearances, checking the condition of the anti‑roll‑bar pins, and confirming that any brake‑disc wear has been addressed or is within acceptable limits. A test drive should include steady‑state cruising and gentle braking to expose any binding or judder, and a short, low‑speed maneuvering segment to reveal steering play or suspension noise. Confirm that all lights, particularly the rear fog lamp, function correctly before finalising the purchase.