2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca 3.0L Petrol · SL58 FLH

The 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca holds a valid MOT issued on 12 December 2025 at 93,158 miles, following a failure just two months prior on 30 October 2025 at 93,155 miles. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but punctuated by intermittent neglect. The October 2025 failure revealed a fractured offside front coil spring, a non-functioning nearside headlamp on dipped beam, a defective nearside rear stop lamp, low engine oil, and binding parking brake issues. Most of these were rectified before the December pass, yet the same underlying advisories persist. Both front lower suspension arm rear bushes have been flagged worn but not resulting in excessive movement consistently since at least November 2023, and the nearside rear shock absorber has shown light oil misting across multiple consecutive tests. The offside front inner brake disc also remains noted as worn, pitted, or scored. General corrosion to underside components recurs as an advisory, indicating long-term exposure rather than acute structural failure. The recorded mileage of 93,158 miles over approximately eighteen years equates to roughly 5,175 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. The MOT record shows only about 6,000 miles covered between November 2023 at 87,169 miles and December 2025 at 93,158 miles, suggesting very light recent use or possibly long periods of standing. This low annual mileage can reduce consumable wear but may introduce its own concerns, such as deteriorated rubber components, stale fuel, or moisture-related corrosion from infrequent driving. The mileage progression is consistent with a vehicle used sparingly rather than clocked, and the MOT history contains no glaring gaps that would suggest odometer tampering. A buyer should inspect the front suspension carefully. The repeated advisories for worn lower suspension arm rear bushes on both sides, dating back to November 2023, point to components that have been deteriorating slowly and may now require replacement despite not yet causing excessive movement. The fractured offside front coil spring flagged in October 2025 was evidently replaced for the December retest, but the condition of the opposite side spring and the general state of the suspension should be verified. The nearside rear shock absorber's persistent light oil misting suggests the unit is weeping and may need attention soon. Brake condition warrants a close look, particularly the offside front inner disc, which has been flagged as worn and pitted for at least two years. Corrosion is a recurring theme. Multiple testers have noted general corrosion to underside components and described the underside as corroded but not seriously weakened. On an eighteen-year-old vehicle, this warrants a physical inspection to confirm that structural mounting points, subframes, and brake lines remain sound. The low oil level recorded at the October 2025 failure, combined with a persistent minor oil leak noted in both the October and December 2025 tests, suggests the engine may be consuming or losing fluid between services. A compression test and thorough check for oil weeping from valve covers or seals would be prudent before purchase.