2009 Subaru Outback 2.5L Petrol · SA59 VFB

The most recent MOT, dated 29 January 2022 at 91,493 miles, resulted in a failure, and no subsequent retest or fresh pass is on record. That leaves the vehicle without a valid MOT certificate today, over four years later. The maintenance trend is clearly not improving. The 2022 failure exposed multiple active defects, including a major exhaust leak, corroded rear coil springs, worn rear brake discs, and perished rear tyres. These are not minor advisories. They point to a vehicle that was left in deteriorating condition and not returned to a roadworthy state. The mileage profile is unusually low for a 2009 vehicle. Between 2020 and 2022, the recorded distance grew from roughly 81,763 miles to 91,493 miles, an increase of nearly 10,000 miles in two years. After the January 2022 failure, the mileage record stops entirely at 91,493. That plateau, combined with the absence of any later MOT, suggests the car may have been standing unused for an extended period rather than covering significant mileage. Long-term static storage carries its own risks, including brake seizure, fuel degradation, and rubber component perishing, all of which align with the defects flagged in 2022. A buyer should treat the corroded rear coil springs as a primary structural concern. Spring corrosion on a vehicle of this age and mileage is not typical unless the car has been exposed to road salt, standing water, or prolonged damp storage. Both rear springs were flagged simultaneously, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated failure. The rear brake discs were also noted as worn and pitted, which on a low-mileage car raises the possibility of surface corrosion from standing use rather than genuine wear. Inspect the underside thoroughly for widespread corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, subframes, and brake line unions. The exhaust system requires close attention. The 2021 advisory noted a minor leak at a heavily corroded rear flange, and by 2022 the condition had escalated into a major leak at the back box and centre pipe join, with the centre section described as excessively corroded. That progression suggests the exhaust was already failing a year earlier and has likely deteriorated further since. Lambda readings outside specified limits during the 2022 test confirm the emissions system was compromised. Check the full exhaust for integrity, paying particular attention to flexi joints, hangers, and the catalytic converter's condition. The perished rear tyres and under-inflation warnings also hint at prolonged neglect of basic tyre maintenance, so budget for replacement and verify wheel alignment before committing to purchase.