2006 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · SW56 DJF

The 2006 Subaru Forester presents a mixed maintenance record with a generally improving trend in its most recent years. The most recent MOT on 16 November 2021 at 74,445 miles passed, though the tester flagged corrosion on all metal brake pipes covered in grease or other material, corrosion on the nearside front anti-roll bar, and slight play in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint. These advisories indicate the vehicle has required ongoing attention to braking and suspension components, but the pass status suggests the previous owner addressed critical failures promptly. The record shows a clear improvement from the more serious defects documented in 2020, when the car failed with structural corrosion on both rear sill areas and a leaking offside rear brake pipe. The mileage pattern is notably unusual and warrants careful scrutiny. Between 20 November 2021 and today, 16 June 2026, the recorded mileage has remained static at 74,445 miles, indicating the vehicle has either been standing unused for nearly five years or the mileage reading is unreliable. Prior to this gap, the car accumulated roughly 1,671 miles between October 2020 and November 2021, and approximately 4,858 miles between October 2019 and October 2020. The annual average of 3,722 miles is low for a vehicle of this age, but the extended period without a recorded MOT test raises concerns about prolonged standing, which can cause seized brakes, perished rubber components, and fuel system degradation. A buyer should pay particular attention to the structural integrity of the rear sills, given the 2020 failure flagged excessive corrosion significantly reducing structural strength in that area. Sill covers were noted as fitted at that time, which may have been used to conceal rather than resolve the underlying corrosion. The braking system has been a recurring concern across multiple tests, with corroded pipes appearing in 2019, a leaking pipe in 2020, and general pipe corrosion flagged again in 2021. All metal brake pipes should be inspected thoroughly for wall thickness loss, particularly where grease or protective coatings may be masking deterioration. Suspension components also show a pattern of wear that has persisted across several test cycles. Play in anti-roll bar linkages, worn bushes, and a seriously leaking offside rear shock absorber were documented in 2019 and 2020, with the nearside front ball joint still showing slight play in 2021. A physical inspection should verify whether these components have been replaced or remain original and worn. The extended period of non-use since late 2021 means rubber bushes, tyres, and seals may have deteriorated through age rather than mileage, and a comprehensive underbody inspection is essential before purchase.