2006 Subaru Forester 2.5L Petrol · WD56 PFG

The 2006 Subaru Forester presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a fully clean MOT pass on 22 April 2026 at 54,217 miles with zero defects recorded. The preceding test on 19 July 2025 at 54,189 miles was also entirely defect-free. This marks a clear resolution of the faults identified in the 2020 test, indicating that previous remedial work has held and the vehicle has since required no advisory-level attention. The trajectory is firmly positive. The mileage profile tells an unusual story. Between the 2020 test on 28 January at 27,411 miles and the 2025 test at 54,189 miles, the car accumulated 26,778 miles in just over five years, averaging roughly 5,355 miles per year during that window. Yet the total annualised average across the vehicle's full twenty-year life sits at only 2,711 miles per year. That discrepancy points to a prolonged period of very light use or standing prior to 2020, followed by a notable step-up in regular driving. The gap between 2020 and 2025 is the only meaningful interval in the record, and it confirms the car was not simply left idle for years on end. The 2020 test flagged front and rear brake pads wearing thin alongside an offside front shock absorber with light misting and limited damping effect. Both defects were rectified before the 2025 test, and the clean 2026 result suggests no recurrence. Still, a buyer should physically inspect the front suspension closely. Check the offside strut for fresh oil misting, knock, or uneven damping by pressing the front corner. Examine the nearside unit for matching wear. Inspect all brake discs and pads for uneven scoring or lipping, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on a slope, as Subaru rear calipers are prone to binding when corrosion builds on sliders or pistons. Given the low overall mileage and the five-year gap between recorded tests, underbody condition deserves careful attention regardless of the clean MOT outcome. Inspect the sills, subframes, and suspension mounting points for surface rust or structural corrosion, particularly if the vehicle spent long periods stationary on damp ground. Check the condition of rubber bushes, track rod ends, and CV gaiters, as perished rubber on a low-mileage car often stems from age rather than use. A short test drive over broken surfaces will reveal any lingering damper or bush deterioration that a static inspection might miss.