2007 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · SJ07 NGX

The 2007 Subaru Forester has a mixed MOT history, with recent failures highlighting significant mechanical risks. The most recent MOT on 2022-08-08 showed a pass, but a prior failure on 2022-08-02 revealed multiple critical issues. These included major exhaust leaks, severe corrosion in suspension mounting areas, and serious fluid leaks from shock absorbers. The suspension corrosion, particularly in rear mounting points, suggests structural weakening that could compromise safety. Brake hose corrosion and fluctuating brake performance further indicate ongoing maintenance challenges. Recurring issues include suspension component wear, brake system degradation, and tyre wear near legal limits. The 2021-08-09 failure listed excessive wear in front suspension ball joints and corroded brake hoses, while the 2022-08-02 failure repeated similar suspension and brake problems. Corrosion in suspension mounting areas (5.3.6 (a) (i)) appears to be a persistent flaw, likely exacerbated by age and environmental factors. These patterns suggest a worsening trend, as later failures included more severe defects than earlier ones. The vehicle’s mileage of 152,638 miles (roughly 8,034 per year) aligns with typical usage for its 19-year age, but the frequency of suspension and brake issues implies potential heavy use or inadequate maintenance.