2005 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · WH55 JYC

The most recent MOT on 28 January 2026 was a pass at 91,204 miles, but it included two advisories: an inoperative nearside registration plate lamp and a minor exhaust gas leak from the central exhaust system. There is a clear recurring pattern with the registration plate lamps. The offside lamp was flagged in 2022, and the nearside lamp appears in 2026. On a vehicle of this age, this usually points to corroded wiring or earth points in the rear light clusters rather than simple bulb failures. The condition trend looks stable but is showing minor signs of deterioration. The car achieved a clean pass in late 2024, yet by early 2026, it has picked up an exhaust leak and the recurring lamp issue. The exhaust leak is a new fault that will likely worsen if left unchecked. At roughly 4,343 miles per year over 21 years, the mileage is low, making the usage signal ambiguous. It could reflect gentle daily use, but it equally suggests long periods of sitting idle. Extended standing time on an older car often accelerates exhaust corrosion and causes electrical contacts to degrade, which directly matches the faults currently appearing on this Forester.